NCJ Number
25631
Date Published
1972
Length
37 pages
Annotation
THIS EVALUATION OF THE VAPOR TRACE ANALYZER (VTA), MANUFACTURED BY HYDRONAUTICE-ISRAEL (LTD) CONCLUDES THAT THE USEFULNESS OF THE DETECTOR UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS IS DUBIOUS.
Abstract
THE INSTRUMENT'S WEIGHT, POWER REQUIREMENTS, AND WARM-UP TIME PRECLUDE ITS USE IN THE FIELD, ALTHOUGH ITS PERFORMANCE WAS SATISFACTORY UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS. THIS REPORT DESCRIBES A SERIES OF TEST WHICH ATTEMPT TO ASSESS THE VTA'S ABILITY TO DETECT EXPLOSIVE VAPORS EMANATING FROM PEOPLE AND CLOTHING WHICH HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH EXPLOSIVES AND FROM LUGGAGE AND WRAPPED POSTAL PARCELS THAT CONTAINED OR HAD CONTAINED EXPLOSIVES. DYNAMITE, TNT, AND C-4 WERE THE EXPLOSIVES EMPLOYED DURING THESE TESTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)