With so many security measures in place nowadays at major events, how could someone get a bomb into the marathon?
We spoke with those responsible for finding explosives here in the valley.
The first line of defense against bombs often rests in the highly trained noses of K-9 cops.
Niko, a six-year-old German shepherd is one of four bomb sniffing dog for the Fresno Sheriff's department.
“We train on, certify to 16 different odors and those are basically high end military odors to all the way down to household chemicals that you could see in a homemade bomb,” said Sgt. Ryan Hushaw with the Fresno Sheriff’s department.
We asked Sergeant Hushaw to show us how they train the dogs to detect explosives.
“Basically we start with as simple as putting an odor in a box and them alerting on that odor and we give them that reward instantly,” Sgt. Hushaw said.
Different types of chemicals are placed around a warehouse.
The deputies wear rubber gloves so the dog won't track down their scent, only the chemical.
Niko works his way through pieces of heavy machinery.
And when he finds the box where the chemical is hidden?
He stops, alerts his handler, tail wagging and waits for his reward.
The dogs go through regular training. So if bomb makers start using a new chemical that can be introduced right away into their training.
These dogs are trained to sniff out the same chemicals used in the bombs set off at the
Bomb sniffing dogs are usually brought in though before an event happens.
“Generally any areas with mass population areas of concern such as structural issues,” Hushaw said.
So they can make sure an area is safe.
Once an event - like the race - is underway, everything brought into the event has to be screened.