Guide to the Technologies of Concealed Weapon and Contraband Imaging andDetection

摘要

A concealed weapon and contraband imaging and detection system (CWCIDS) is aninstrument, a device, or equipment designed to find items considered to be weapons or contraband. A weapon is any object that can do harm to another individual or group of individuals. This definition not only includes objects typically thought of as weapons, such as knives and firearms, but also explosives, chemicals, etc. Contraband items include illegal drugs and any other item that is controlled or forbidden by a particular law enforcement or corrections agency. Consequently, contraband may include tobacco, any metallic object that can be used to defeat security constraints, drug paraphernalia, etc. There are a variety of different technologies either being used or developed for CWCIDS applications, such as x-ray imaging, microwave holography, acoustic detection, etc. These CWCIDSs may be utilized in a variety of forms including the following: hand-held close-proximity scanning; stationary-positioned, walk-by scanning; hand-held, stand-off scanning; etc. Which of the forms used is limited by the given CWCIDS technology. The purpose of the Guide is to provide information that will help members of the law enforcement and corrections community, who are present or potential users and operators of CWCIDSs, better understand the operation, limitations, and applicability of CWCIDS technology to their specific application and to provide an overview of the state of development in the CWCIDS for the mutual benefit of all interested parties. Some of the CWCIDSs are still under development and are included here for completeness. This Guide focuses on CWCIDSs that are intended for use on humans; that is, for detection of contraband and weapons concealed on human bodies.