Explosives detectionNew book offers useful information about explosives

Published 9 August 2012

New book covers the principles, instrumentation, and applications of current technologies used to detect explosives in the field; it also discusses detection requirements, methodologies used for detector evaluation, and sampling technologies

Explosives are historically the weapons that have been most frequently used against civilians by terrorist organizations. In the past few years, the use of explosives by terrorist groups has cost the lives of more people than the combination of all other attacks, including the use of weapons of mass destruction. Early detection of these substances is one of the most effective ways to prevent attacks using explosives from occurring.

Fast and reliable equipment to detect the presence of explosives and explosive devices is critical to fighting terrorism.

An ILMBookstore release reports that their new book, Field Detection Technologies for Explosives, covers the principles, instrumentation, and applications of current technologies used to detect explosives in the field. Both trace detection technologies and bulk detection technologies are discussed. The section on trace detection technologies includes chapters on ion mobility spectrometry, piezoelectric sensors, chemiluminescence-based detectors, polymer-based technologies, and mass spectrometry. It also discusses detection requirements, methodologies used for detector evaluation, and sampling technologies. The section on bulk detection contains chapters on X-ray, millimeter wave imaging, neutron and nuclear quadrupole resonance technologies.

The volume introduces the basic concepts of commonly used explosives detection technologies and is a resource for novice or more experienced personnel working in the explosives detection field as well as those with a general interest in this important subject.

The publisher notes that the book:

  • Discusses all aspects of commonly used field detection technologies.
  • Reviews detection requirements and explosives sampling methods.
  • Describes specific instruments used for field detection applications, such as at airports, harbors, and border crossings.
  • Includes a summary of common explosives and their important properties for easy reference.
  • Provides an introduction to data fusion and receiver operating characteristic methods, both of which have recently received significant attention in the field of explosives detection.