Explosives Detection Technologies

Different Explosives Detection Technologies

Explosives Detection Technologies

Explosives detection methodologies are divided into two major categories: trace detection and bulk detection methods

Trace explosives detection involves the chemical detection of explosives by collecting and analyzing tiny amounts of explosive vapor or particles (a microscopic amount of explosives.) Trace detection includes several different technologies using chemical sensors.

Sample collection methods and the presence of a background of explosives material at a site can profoundly affect the usefulness of trace detection methods.

Trace detection looks for residue or contamination from handling or being in proximity to explosives materials.

Bulk explosives detection involves the detection of a macroscopic mass of explosives material (a visible amount of explosives), usually based on either imaging or on nuclear (molecular) properties of the explosive. Bulk detection methods are less dependent than trace detection methods on sampling techniques (sample collection), and are not affected by the presence of an explosive background. However, equipment costs associated with bulk detection are often higher, and some bulk detection techniques ─ especially those based on imaging, such as x-ray imaging ─ may have a lower degree of specificity than trace detection methods.

Bulk detection seeks the actual explosive material.

In both cases of Bulk or Trace detection technologies, the effectiveness of detection quality is a result of experimental examinations that each authority would like to accommodate to their needs.