NCJ Number
189648
Date Published
July 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the research on weapons-detection
technology being conducted by the National Institute of Justice
(NIJ).
Abstract
NIJ's Office of Science and Technology (OS&T) is responsible for
identifying and developing new technologies for use by
corrections and criminal justice professionals, including
research into improved weapons detection. Although the
infrastructure protection program is barely 5 years old, it has
already resulted in the commercialization of an improved
walk-through weapons detection portal, developed by the Idaho
National Engineering and Environmental laboratory in Idaho Falls.
This device uses fluxgate magnetometers to detect changes in the
Earth's magnetic field caused by magnetic material found in
weapons carried through it. It can detect weapons with even a
small ferrous (iron) content, an advantage over current portals.
An inherent disadvantage of existing portal systems, however, is
that they cannot be operated from a distance, thus placing
operators at risk of having a concealed weapon used against them.
Portable systems under development that offer remote operation
include a system that uses millimeter wave imaging and one that
uses a hybrid of radar and infrared sensors. NIJ also has funded
Quantum Magnetics to develop a device for noninvasive body cavity
screening that uses magnetic resonance imaging. NIJ is pursuing
multiple technical approaches to increase the chance of producing
one or more highly effective devices. Each approach has different
advantages and limitations. NIJ's Law Enforcement and Corrections
Standards and Testing Program takes a comprehensive look at the
capabilities and shortcoming of existing technologies and reports
them to the field. This program also develops rigorous scientific
standards against which laboratories can test technologies. The
Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES) operates the Standards
and Testing Program. 1 reference
Date Published: July 1, 2001
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