Mobile explosives screening
Work airborne explosives-related odor associated with people moving through crowds, queues, approaches, and gathering areas.
PBIED Canine Services • North America
PBIED & Mobile Odor Detection Dogs for Crowd Screening
Specialized Person-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) canine teams—also known as Mobile Odor Detection Dogs—support explosives screening in moving crowds, queues, venues, transit environments, and public gatherings.
What PBIED means
Detection designed for people in motion.
PBIED stands for Person-Borne Improvised Explosive Device. The capability focuses on explosives-related odor associated with a moving person or an item carried by that person.
Unlike a conventional static search, a mobile odor canine can work airborne odor in an operational environment. The handler observes the dog’s behavior and directs the team according to the site’s screening concept and response procedures.
Moving environmentsSupport screening where people are walking, waiting, entering, or gathering.
Stand-off capabilityProvide an additional detection layer without requiring every person to be directly approached by the dog.
Integrated operationsCoordinate with venue security, event staff, administrators, and law enforcement protocols.
A flexible mobile team
Mobile odor capability does not end when the crowd stops.
Mobile Odor Detection Dogs are generally capable of performing conventional static explosives searches as well. Depending on the individual team’s training and certification, mobile odor methods may also be applied to firearms-related odor in moving-person environments.
Static explosives searches
Search defined rooms, vehicles, bags, seating areas, backstage spaces, loading zones, and other priority locations.
Mobile firearms detection
Appropriately trained teams can support moving-person screening for firearms-related odor as part of a coordinated security plan.
Explore Firearms Detection →Complementary capabilities
Mobile screening and conventional explosives searches work together.
The right deployment may use one capability or combine both, based on crowd flow, search areas, risk, and existing security measures.
PBIED / Mobile Odor Detection
- Focuses on moving people and carried items
- Works airborne odor in crowds and queues
- Useful at approaches, concourses, entrances, and gathering areas
- Designed around a coordinated operational concept
Conventional Explosives Detection
- Searches rooms, vehicles, bags, and defined spaces
- Supports pre-opening sweeps and controlled-area searches
- Useful for buildings, loading zones, backstage areas, and perimeters
- Can be combined with mobile screening for layered coverage
Deployment environments
Built for places where people move and gather.
Stadiums & arenas
Approach routes, plazas, entry queues, concourses, hospitality areas, and controlled zones.
Concerts & festivals
Public approaches, gates, ticketing areas, vendor corridors, backstage access, and crowd spaces.
Transit & transportation
Terminals, platforms, passenger flows, waiting areas, and other defined operational environments.
Schools & campuses
High-attendance events, arrivals, common areas, ceremonies, and planned security operations.
Houses of worship
Special services, public gatherings, community events, and high-attendance dates.
Public & corporate events
Conferences, conventions, civic gatherings, employee events, and managed guest arrivals.
Operational planning
A deployment starts with the flow of people.
1
Environment review
We examine the venue, attendance, approaches, screening points, schedules, and existing security layers.
2
Concept of operations
Team position, movement, communications, relief, and operational boundaries are defined.
3
Coordinated deployment
The canine team works within the agreed plan while the handler monitors conditions and canine behavior.
4
Established response
The client and appropriate authorities follow predetermined procedures when a trained response requires action.
Frequently asked questions
PBIED and Mobile Odor Detection FAQs
Are PBIED dogs and Mobile Odor Detection Dogs the same thing?
The terms are often used for the same general capability: canine screening for explosives-related odor associated with people in motion or items they carry.
How is this different from a standard bomb dog?
Conventional explosives searches often focus on static spaces, objects, bags, and vehicles. PBIED work emphasizes airborne odor and moving-person environments.
Can PBIED teams work without stopping every attendee?
The operational concept may allow a team to screen moving crowds or queues without direct contact with every individual. Exact placement and procedures depend on the venue and security plan.
Can this be combined with entry screening?
Yes. Mobile odor canine teams can serve as one layer alongside access control, bag screening, security personnel, and other measures.
Can Mobile Odor Detection Dogs conduct static searches?
Generally, yes. Mobile odor teams commonly retain the ability to conduct conventional static searches of defined spaces, objects, vehicles, and bags. Exact capabilities are confirmed for each deployment.
Can mobile odor teams screen for firearms?
Appropriately trained teams may provide mobile firearms-odor detection in moving-person environments. We match the canine team and operating plan to the requested explosives and firearms capabilities.
Where are PBIED canine services available?
ScentWorks K9 coordinates deployments for events and organizations across North America.