Aspects of Explosives Detection

Aspects of Explosives Detection
Author: Maurice Marshall
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 303
Release: 2011-07-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080923143

Detection and quantification of trace chemicals is a major thrust of analytical chemistry. In recent years much effort has been spent developing detection systems for priority pollutants. Less mature are the detections of substances of interest to law enforcement and security personnel:in particular explosives. This volume will discuss the detection of these, not only setting out the theoretical fundamentals, but also emphasizing the remarkable developments in the last decade. Terrorist events—airplanes blown out of the sky (PanAm 103 over Lockerbie) and attacks on U.S. and European cities (Trade Center in New York and the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, railways in London and Madrid)--emphasize the danger of concealed explosives. However, since most explosives release little vapor, it was not possible to detect them by technology used on most organic substances. After PanAm 103 was downed over Scotland, the U.S. Congress requested automatic explosive detection equipment be placed in airports. This volume outlines the history of explosive detection research, the developments along the way, present day technologies, and what we think the future holds. - Written by experts in the field who set out both the scientific issues and the practical context with authority - Discusses and describes the threat - Describes the theoretical background and practical applications of both trace and bulk explosives detection

Assessment of Technologies Deployed to Improve Aviation Security

Assessment of Technologies Deployed to Improve Aviation Security
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 89
Release: 1999-11-23
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309172438

This report assesses the operational performance of explosives-detection equipment and hardened unit-loading devices (HULDs) in airports and compares their operational performance to their laboratory performance, with a focus on improving aviation security.

Counterterrorist Detection Techniques of Explosives

Counterterrorist Detection Techniques of Explosives
Author: Avi Cagan
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 450
Release: 2021-12-06
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0444641041

The use of explosives in terror attacks, including improvised ones, presents an ongoing threat which requires the development of techniques for detecting a larger variety of explosives, faster detection, and with lower rates of false alarms. Counterterrorist detection techniques of explosives [...] covers the most successful techniques for explosives detection at present. This completely revised volume describes the most updated research findings, which will be used in the next generation of explosives detection technologies. New editors Drs. Avi Cagan and Jimmie Oxley have assembled in one volume a series of detection technologies of explosives, written by a group of scientists who are experts in each of these technologies. The book helps researchers to compare the advantages and disadvantages of all available methods in detecting explosives and, in effect, allow them to choose the correct instrumental screening technology according to the nature of the sample.

Existing and Potential Standoff Explosives Detection Techniques

Existing and Potential Standoff Explosives Detection Techniques
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 148
Release: 2004-05-14
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309166039

Existing and Potential Standoff Explosives Detection Techniques examines the scientific techniques currently used as the basis for explosives detection and determines whether other techniques might provide promising research avenues with possible pathways to new detection protocols. This report describe the characteristics of explosives, bombs, and their components that are or might be used to provide a signature for exploitation in detection technology; considers scientific techniques for exploiting these characteristics to detect explosives and explosive devices; discusses the potential for integrating such techniques into detection systems that would have sufficient sensitivity without an unacceptable false-positive rate; and proposes areas for research that might be expected to yield significant advances in practical explosives and bomb detection technology in the near, mid, and long term.

Laser-Based Optical Detection of Explosives

Laser-Based Optical Detection of Explosives
Author: Paul M. Pellegrino
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 464
Release: 2018-09-03
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1351831178

Laser-Based Optical Detection of Explosives offers a comprehensive review of past, present, and emerging laser-based methods for the detection of a variety of explosives. This book: Considers laser propagation safety and explains standard test material preparation for standoff optical-based detection system evaluation Explores explosives detection using deep ultraviolet native fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, reflectometry, and hyperspectral imaging Examines photodissociation followed by laser-induced fluorescence, photothermal methods, cavity-enhanced absorption spectrometry, and short-pulse laser-based techniques Describes the detection and recognition of explosives using terahertz-frequency spectroscopic techniques Each chapter is authored by a leading expert on the respective technology, and is structured to supply historical perspective, address current advantages and challenges, and discuss novel research and applications. Readers are left with an in-depth understanding and appreciation of each technology’s capabilities and potential for standoff hazard detection.

Field Detection Technologies for Explosives

Field Detection Technologies for Explosives
Author: Yin Sun
Publisher: ILM Publications
Total Pages: 328
Release: 2010
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1906799024

Field Detection Technologies For Explosives Explosives are historically the weapons that have been most frequently used against civilians by terrorist organisations. In the past few years, the use of explosives by terrorist groups has cost the lives of more people than the combination of all other attacks, including the use of weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological and nuclear weapons). Early detection of these substances is one of the most effective ways to prevent attacks using explosives from occurring. Fast and reliable equipment to detect the presence of explosives and explosive devices is critical to fighting terrorism. Written in a style that makes complicated technologies easy to understand, this book covers the principles, instrumentation and applications of current technologies used to detect explosives in the field. Both trace detection technologies and bulk detection technologies are discussed. The section on trace detection technologies includes chapters on ion mobility spectrometry, piezoelectric sensors, chemiluminescence-based detectors, polymer-based technologies and mass spectrometry. It also discusses detection requirements, methodologies used for detector evaluation, and sampling technologies. The section on bulk detection contains chapters on x-ray, millimeter wave imaging, neutron and nuclear quadrupoie resonance technologies. This volume introduces the basic concepts of commonly used explosives detection technologies and is an essential resource for novice or more experienced personnel working in the explosives detection field as well as those with a general interest in this important subject. Features Discusses all aspects of commonly used field detection technologies. Reviews detection requirements and explosives sampling methods. Describes specific instruments used for field detection applications, such as at airports, harbours and border crossings. Includes a summary of common explosives and their important properties for easy reference. Provides an introduction to data fusion and receiver operating characteristic methods, both of which have recently received significant attention in the field of explosives detection. Book jacket.

Opportunities to Improve Airport Passenger Screening with Mass Spectrometry

Opportunities to Improve Airport Passenger Screening with Mass Spectrometry
Author: Committee on Assessment of Security Technologies for Transportation
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 35
Release: 2004-05-26
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780309092401

Protection of the traveling public from terrorist threats involving explosives is a major goal of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). For 20 years, the TSA (and the Federal Aviation Administration before it) have been investing in technologies to meet that goal. To support that activity, the TSA has asked the NRC to assess a variety of technological opportunities for offering such protection. The NRC is approaching this assignment by issuing a series of reports on chosen technology applications. This is the first of that series and presents an assessment of mass spectrometry for enhanced trace detection (ETD) of chemicals contained in explosives. The report describes limitations of trace detection in general and the current technologies in particular. It then presents a discussion of the potential for mass spectrometry to improve EDT including challenges faced by such a system, recommendations for starting a program to take advantage of mass spectrometry, and recommendations for a phased implementation plan.

Airline Passenger Security Screening

Airline Passenger Security Screening
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 88
Release: 1996-06-19
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 0309175852

This book addresses new technologies being considered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for screening airport passengers for concealed weapons and explosives. The FAA is supporting the development of promising new technologies that can reveal the presence not only of metal-based weapons as with current screening technologies, but also detect plastic explosives and other non-metallic threat materials and objects, and is concerned that these new technologies may not be appropriate for use in airports for other than technical reasons. This book presents discussion of the health, legal, and public acceptance issues that are likely to be raised regarding implementation of improvements in the current electromagnetic screening technologies, implementation of screening systems that detect traces of explosive materials on passengers, and implementation of systems that generate images of passengers beneath their clothes for analysis by human screeners.

Technology in Forensic Science

Technology in Forensic Science
Author: Deepak Rawtani
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 412
Release: 2020-11-02
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3527347623

The book "Technology in Forensic Science" provides an integrated approach by reviewing the usage of modern forensic tools as well as the methods for interpretation of the results. Starting with best practices on sample taking, the book then reviews analytical methods such as high-resolution microscopy and chromatography, biometric approaches, and advanced sensor technology as well as emerging technologies such as nanotechnology and taggant technology. It concludes with an outlook to emerging methods such as AI-based approaches to forensic investigations.