The Check Is In the Mail

• NCJ Number: 211897
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 2 pages
• Grant Number(s): 96-MU-MU-K011
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Corporate Author: National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)
• Sale Source: National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From TechBeat, Summer 2002; downloaded on October 26, 2005.

Annotation

This report discusses results from a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Counterdrug Technology Development Program Office (COTDPO) identifying technologies to screen mail delivered to correctional facilities for drug contraband.

Abstract

For correctional facilities, stopping drug contraband in the mail is a full-time job. However, with funding support from the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Counterdrug Technology Development Program Office (COTDPO) is conducting a study to identify technologies to simplify their task. DOD conducted a survey to locate products already on the market, then moved into a three-step research process. The research yielded encouraging results for two commercially available ion mobility spectrometry scanners, one handheld and one desktop. However, there were concerns about the possibility of too many false positive readings. A recommendation was made to set up a field test of the ion mobility spectrometry scanners in a correctional facility or possibly to examine other more costly technologies that show promise. Once research identifies a feasible existing product, it will be a substantial asset for correctional facilities.