What is the expected outcome when a canine alerts to an item?

When a canine alerts to an item, it suggests the possibility of the presence of controlled substances. Canines are specially trained to detect specific scents, such as those associated with narcotics, but their alerting behavior does not guarantee that the item is definitively narcotics. Instead, the alert indicates that the dog has detected a scent that could be indicative of controlled substances. This means further investigation or confirmation through additional methods, such as field testing or laboratory analysis, is needed to determine the nature of the item.

The alerting behavior is a cue for the handler to take appropriate action, which is consistent with the idea of possibility rather than certainty. This approach helps ensure that proper protocols are followed in both detection and legal processes.