Scent-Dog Lineups Questioned

Scent dogs are highly valued in criminal investigations, but a new report by the Innocence Project of Texas suggests some dogs may be to blame for wrongful arrests.

The group says Fort Bend County sSeriff deputy Keith Pickett and his personal dogs exemplify the problem. The deputy is seen in video shot by FOX 26 News in 1994.

Scientist Dr. Larry Myers of Auburn University says Pickett's methods were grossly flawed. Myers alleges Pickett frequently cross contaminated samples and mistakenly mingled scents that may have confused the dogs. In one video Pickett reportedly gives the dogs too much direction.

“I saw Pickett with an extremely tight leash on that dog. That dog was going where Pickett was going. When Pickett stopped, the dog stopped,” Myers said.

He is a consultant for the Innocence Project.

Curvis Bickham was arrested and charged with murder because of evidence attributed Pickett’s dogs.

“I lost everything I had because of this case. I lost my house. They made me homeless,” said Bickham about his time in jail.

Those charges were later dismissed and Bickham was released.