NCJ Number
11227
Date Published
1972
Length
40 pages
Annotation
TEST RESULTS OF A BIOSENSOR SYSTEM USED FOR THE DETECTION OF HIDDEN EXPLOSIVES.
Abstract
THE DEVICE USES A BIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUE OF VAPOR DETECTION BY WHICH LUMINESCENT ORGANISMS CHANGE THEIR LIGHT EMISSION WHEN EXPOSED IN THE PRESENCE OF A VAPOR TO WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN CULTURED AND SENSITIZED. THE BIOSENSOR IS A LIVING CONGLOMERATION OF MILLIONS OF THESE LUMINESCENT BACTERIA, PLACED IN AN AIR SAMPLER WITH AN OPTICAL TRANSDUCER TO BECOME A POTENT DETECTOR. THE DEVICE IS PORTABLE, HAND-HELD, AND REQUIRES A TRAINED OPERATOR. THE SPECIFIC EXPLOSIVE TESTED WAS DYNAMITE. DETECTIONS WERE MADE FROM A ROOM SEARCH, LUGGAGE AND PACKAGE SEARCHES, AND A SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX SEARCH. RESULTS OF TESTING REVEALED THAT POST-EXPLOSION LOCATION OF SIGNIFICANT DEBRIS FOR FORENSIC ANALYSIS IS FEASIBLE. SPECIFIC FACTUAL PARAMETERS FOR EACH TEST ARE PROVIDED, AS ARE STRIP GRAPH RECORDS. SEE ALSO NCJ-011226 AND NCJ011228.