Ebook: Vapour and Trace Detection of Explosives for Anti-Terrorism Purposes

The fast detection of explosives from the vapor phase would be one way to enhance the protection of society against terrorist attacks. Up to now the problem of detection of explosives, especially the location of explosives whether at large areas e. g. station halls, theaters or hidden in cars, aircraft cargo, baggage or explosives hidden in crowds e. g. suicide bombers or bombs in bags has not been solved. Smelling of explosives like dogs do seems to be a valuable tool for a security chain. In general different strategies can be adopt to the basic problem of explosive detection: • bulk detection • vapor detection Normally meetings cover both aspects and applications of the detection. Even though both methods might fulfill special aspects of a general security chain the underlying scientific questions differ strongly. Because of that the discussions of the scientists and practitioners from the different main directions are sometimes only less specific. Therefore the NATO Advisory Panel in Security-Related Civil Science and Technology proposed a small series of NATO ARW's which focuses on the different scientific aspects of explosives detection methods. This book is based on material presented at the first NATO ARW of this series in Moscow which covered the topic: Vapor and trace detection of explosives. The second ARW was held in St. Petersburg and treated the topic Bulk detection methods. The third workshop was held in Warwick and focused on electronic noses which cover a somewhat different aspect of vapor detection.

Up to now so called ‘sniffer’ dogs are the most successful and widespread systems for the explosives detection at airports and in public areas. Dogs are able to detect explosives under various conditions. On the other hand dogs are living beings and their behavior and skills are influenced by numerous parameters (e.g. age, sex, trainer, daily condition, etc.). To overcome these problems concerning the detection of explosives and illicit substances by dogs’ chemical sensors seemed to be a valuable alternative for this application and therefore a valuable tool in counter terrorism.

The presented papers are an outcome of an NATO ARW which was hold in Moscow and cover different aspects of vapour and trace detection of explosive. Starting from different scenarios (airport security, inspection of large areas, freight screening, boarding passes, etc.) and taking into account the capability of dogs the chances of and demands on chemical sensors are discussed in view of their possible application. Several papers highlight the capability and possibilities of different methods and devices for the vapour detection of explosives (drift MS, high speed gas analyzers, ion mobility increment spectrometer, etc.). Information about the post explosion identification of explosives by LC/MS and the development of explosive standards for dog training and sensor testing are presented also.