Kelvin J. Frank

Forensic science expert and researcher with an expertise in canine research and forensic science education. Canine certifying official and seminar speaker dedicated to improving canine detection by bridging the gap between canine science and canine practitioners. Deeply-invested in the improvement of forensic science

Manager - Canine Detection Program , 08/23-Current

Global Forensic and Justice Center, Florida International University - Miami, FL

• Lead evaluator/certifying official for Florida International University’s Global Forensic and Justice Center canine detection certification program
• Develop certification standards for various detector dog disciplines
• Develop collaborations to improve canine research
• Provide grant writing support

Post-Doctoral Fellow , 08/21-Current

Florida International University - Miami, FL

• Manage research projects for detection of volatile organic compounds from canine targets of interest
• Coordinate canine field testing
• Provide project support for PhD students

• Kelvin J. Frank, Kenneth G. Furton “Advances in Canine Science and the Implementation of National Standards” American Academy of Forensic Sciences 76th Annual Scientific Conference, Denver, CO, 2024
• Kelvin J. Frank, Kenneth G. Furton “Dispelling K9 Odor Myths & Implementing National Standards” International Police Canine Association K9 Law Enforcement Training Institute Conference, Anaheim, CA, 2024
• Kelvin J. Frank, Kenneth G. Furton “Canine Detection National Standards & Trends ICODD” HITS Handler Instructor and Training Seminar, Scottsdale, AZ, 2023
• Kelvin J. Frank, Kenneth G. Furton “Dispelling K9 Odor Myths – Fresh vs Aged Trails, Marijuana vs Hemp, Cell Phones vs Mass Storage Devices” HITS Handler Instructor and Training Seminar, Scottsdale, AZ, 2023
• Kelvin J. Frank Jr., Howard Holness, Suzanne Perry, Paola Prada-Tiedemann, Kenneth G. Furton “Standardization of Dogs and Sensors: Update on Current and Planned Standards of the Dogs and Sensors ASB Consensus Body” American Academy of Forensic Sciences 75th Annual Scientific Conference, Orlando, FL, 2023
• Frank, K., Furton "Canine Detection National Standards and Trends, Including Electronic Devices, Designer Drugs, and Hemp Products" HITS K9 Seminar, 2022, Orlando, Fl
• Kenneth G. Furton, Kelvin Frank, David Winialski,Paola A. Prada-Tiedemann “Comparison of odor detection by warm-blooded vertebrates and electronic sensors” APOPO workshop The power of scents: Olfactory research from innovation to application and validation, Tanzania, 2022
• Frank, K., Furton, K., Mendel, J., “Dogs can be trained to sniff out COVID-19 – a team of forensic researchers explain the science" The Conversation, 2022 [Online]. (Unpublished article)
• Frank K.J, DeGreeff L.E, Holness H.K, Furton K.G, “Explosive detection by dogs” in Counterterrorist detection techniques of explosives, Elsevier Science, 2021
• Mendel, J., Frank, K., Edlin, L., Hall, K., Webb, D., Mills, J., Holness, H.K., Furton, K.G. and Mills, D. “Preliminary accuracy of COVID-19 odor detection by canines and HS-SPME-GC-MS using exhaled breath samples,” Forensic Science International: Synergy, p.100155, 2021
• Frank K.J, "Hemp vs Marijuana, A Case Study" Next Level K9 Workshop, 2021, Prosper, TX
• Frank K.J, "Hemp vs Marijuana, A Case Study" Next Level K9 Summer Workshop, 2020, Gwinnett County, GA
• DeGreeff, L. E., Simon, A. G., Peranich, K., Holness, H. K., Frank, K., & Furton, K. G. (2020). Generalization and discrimination of molecularly similar odorants in detection canines and the influence of training. Behavioural Processes, 177, 104148.
• Frank KJ, Holness HK, Furton KG, “The detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released from Mass Storage Devices utilizing Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME) and its implications for canine training and contraband detection,” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Scientific Meeting, 2020, Anaheim, CA.
• Simon, A. G., DeGreeff, L. E., Frank, K., Peranich, K., Holness, H., & Furton, K. G. (2019). A method for controlled odor delivery in olfactory field-testing. Chemical senses, 44(6), 399-408.
• Frank KJ, Holness HK, Furton KG, “A method for controlled odor delivery in canine olfactory testing,” International Working Dog Breeding Association 11th International Working Dog Conference, 2019, Stockholm, Sweden
• Frank KJ, Holness HK, Furton KG, “The determination of a Canine Olfactory Detection Threshold using a Universal Detection Calibrant (UDC),” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Scientific Meeting, 2019, Baltimore, MD
• Frank KJ, Holness HK, Furton KG, “Optimal Headspace Extraction for the detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released from Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) using Solid-phase microextraction (SPME),” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Scientific Meeting, 2018, Seattle, WA