NCJ Number
191432
Journal
Jane's International Defense Review Volume: 34 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 36-43
Date Published
April 2001
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes the technological advances in the field of counterterrorism.
Abstract
The use of technology to defeat terrorism is continuously developing. The area where most technological efforts are being directed is detection and surveillance, and identifying the presence of explosives, weapons, or known terrorists. Explosive Detection systems can be roughly divided into the following categories: image-based, such as X-ray or gamma ray; non-imaging, such as gamma backscatter, radio activity detectors, metal detectors, people detectors, or dogs; and chemical identification, such as trace detectors, Nuclear Quadruple Resonance (NQR), x-ray diffraction, and Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA). Imaging systems are used to detect explosive devices or weapons as they pass through a choke point, whether it is a border, an airport, or artificial barrier. Gamma ray screening systems can cope with the scale of targets to be scanned in large ports, railways, or with large vehicles. The advantage of imaging systems is that high throughput is possible provided the operator can maintain concentration. Trace detectors include ion mobility, chemical reagent tests, and gas chromatography. Trace detectors require a sample to be extracted; usually either as a swab or as an air sample. Trace chemical detectors have the advantage of being able to screen people, and are particularly useful for identifying specific materials. The future of detection lies in data fusion, combining two or more of the available technologies into a single hybrid system. A form of human surveillance called face recognition technology is based on measuring facial curves from several angles, digitizing the information, and doing a computer comparison with existing images in a database. A form of hybrid system utilizing millimetric radar (MMR) is being investigated to measure the difference in temperature between a concealed weapon and an individual’s body. Robotics and remote vehicles can be used to manipulate, move, and disarm suspicious devices.