From the Street . . . to the Street

• NCJ Number: 211836
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 2 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1996-MU-MU-K011
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This article presents updates on a sampling of current research priorities of the National Institute of Justice's Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Advisory Council (LECTAC).

Abstract

LECTAC's current research priorities include the development of technologies and research in concealed weapons and contraband detection, vehicle stopping, enhanced DNA testing, officer protection, less-than-lethal weapons, information management, counterterrorism, location and tracking, secure communications, and noninvasive drug detection. This article provides updates on projects related to concealed weapons and contraband detection, less-than-lethal weaponry, counterterrorism, and officer protection. Brief descriptions are provided for LECTAC's work on the following mechanisms for concealed weapons and contraband detection: body cavity screening system, handheld acoustic system, handheld wide-band radar, portable millimeter wave radar, and a vehicle-mounted weapons detector. In the area of less-than-lethal weaponry, 10 prototypes of the Laser Dazzler have been delivered to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for assessing eye safety and effectiveness. The project will ultimately yield a device that uses random, flashing, green laser light to disorient and distract a subject. Descriptions of research in counterterrorism measures address robots to disable bombs and technologies for explosive diagnostics and disruption. In the area of officer protection, the work described pertains to the development of a wearable device that indicates exposure to a variety of chemical and biological hazards.