This working paper introduces canine detection as a biological sensing approach for the early identification of wood-boring insect activity in cultural heritage contexts. It situates trained detection dogs within the framework of preventive conservation and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a complementary diagnostic tool alongside established chemical and physical methods. The study focuses on the methodological structuring of canine detection, addressing the current lack of standardised training protocols, reproducible testing conditions, and objectively interpretable indication behaviour. Based on controlled training environments and field applications, it proposes a framework that enables systematic documentation, comparability, and validation of canine-based detection processes. Rather than re-establishing proof of principle, the paper argues that the diagnostic capability of canine olfaction is already empirically supported by large-scale validation studies in other domains. The central contribution therefore lies in transferring and adapting this capability to the specific requirements of heritage conservation. The paper further discusses the epistemic distinction between biological and technical sensing systems, highlighting the capacity of canine olfaction to interpret complex, dynamic odour patterns in real time. This allows for the detection of biologically relevant states, including early-stage infestation processes, that may not be accessible through conventional analytical techniques. Overall, the study positions canine detection as a non-destructive, real-time diagnostic method with potential applications in monitoring, verification of conservation treatments, and the integration into multi-modal diagnostic strategies in cultural heritage preservation.
Evelyn Pechinger-Theuerkauf (Thu,) studied this question.