Photo from the personal archive of S.S. Podushkin

The most important use of search dogs is in solving cases of murder, banditry, robbery, theft (except pickpocketing), rape, arson, and missing children. The primary use of search dogs at crime scenes is to locate criminals by following scent trails or extracting the criminal from a trail or from an item belonging to the criminal.

When tracking a scent, a search dog is usually put on a leash. Once the dog has confidently established a scent, the handler, so as not to hinder the dog's movements, gradually loosens the leash and follows the dog, slackening it slightly. In dense brush or forests, the dog is used off-leash.