Explosive detection using high-volume vapor sampling and analysis by trained canines and ultra-trace detection equipment

Abstract

ABSTRACT The dog’s nose is an effective, highly-mobile sampling system, while the canine olfactory organs are an extremely sensitive detector. Having been trained to detect a wide variety of substances with exceptional results, canines are widely regarded as the ‘gold st andard’ in chemical vapor detection. Historically, attempts to mimic the ability of dogs to detect vapors of explosives using electronic ‘dogs noses’ has proven difficult. However, recent advances in techno logy have resulted in development of detection (i.e., sampling and sensor) systems with performance that is rapidly approaching that of trained canines. The Nomadics Fido was the first sensor to demonstrate under field conditions the detection of landmines with performance approaching that of canines. More recently, comparative testing of Fido against canines has revealed that electronic vapor detection, when co upled with effective sampling methods, can produce results comparable to that of highly-trained canines. The results of these comparative tests will be presente d, as will recent test results in which explosives hidden in cargo were detected using Fido with a high-volume sampling technique. Finally, the use of canines along with electronic sensors will be discussed as a means of improving the performance and expanding the capabilities of both methods. Keywords: vapor detection, explosives, canines, electronic sensors, high-volume sampling.