Browsing by Subject "Explosives -- Detection"
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Item A cost-benefit analysis of alternative device configurations for aviation checked baggage security screening(Texas Tech University, 2004-05) Ritchie, LynseyIn the two years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the security of our nation's civil aviation system has assumed renewed urgency, and efforts to strengthen aviation security have received a great deal of congressional attention (GAO-03-1150T). As of early 2003, an estimated 1,100 explosive detection systems (EDS) and 6,000 explosive trace detection machines (ETD) had been deployed to ensure 100% checked baggage screening (GAO-04-440T). These two explosive detection technologies are an integral part of the security strategies currently being used in US airports. However, the prohibitive costs associated with deploying and operating such devices and machines has led the TSA to evaluate the cost, effectiveness, maturity, and efficiency of these devices to ensure that they achieve the maximum pay-off in improved security for funds spent (Jacobson et al. 2003b). In addition to the evaluation of cost effectiveness of current explosive detection devices, research into advanced screening equipment and associated technologies has also become a priority. The main objective of this thesis is to evaluate the cost effectiveness of the explosive detection technologies currently in US airports supplemented with evaluations of the newest technologies which could possibly be used to screen checked baggage in the fixture. The research analyzes both single device systems in addition to several cascading sequences of devices. In particular, the expected annual direct cost of using these devices for 100% screening under various checked baggage screening scenarios is obtained. The tradeoffs between using single device strategies and sequenced combinations of the devices are also studied. Lastly, the expected number of successful threats under the different checked baggage screening scenarios with 100% checked baggage screening is studied. The results indicate that for the current security setup, with current device cost and probability parameters, single device systems are less costly and give optimal successful threat values. The cost model introduced provides an effective tool for the execution of cost-benefit analyses of alternative device configurations for aviation checked baggage security screening. Butler and Poole (2002) and Poole and Passantino (2003) feel that a risk-based system is a superior approach to aviation security. If the US implements this type of security system, this cost model will be a valuable tool in developing the optimal device configuration.Item Latent Fingerprint and trace explosives detection by photoluminescence and time-resolved imaging(Texas Tech University, 2003-05) Bouldin, Kimberly KayLatent fingerprint detection by photoluminescence is a well-developed field. Many development techniques exist and are currently being employed in forensic laboratories to detect fingerprints by making them luminescent. However, in forensic science, timeresolved imaging techniques, designed to suppress background fluorescence that interferes with fingerprint detectability, are to date not used outside of the research laboratory, and the chemistry necessary to use time-resolved imaging for fingerprint detection is somewhat limited. For this reason, the first section of this dissertation deals with fingerprint detection methods that have direct application to time-resolved imaging techniques. Trace explosive detection field methods based on chemical reactions have until recently utilized only colorimetric products. To increase the sensitivity of such detection, a field explosive test kit which produces a product that is both colorimetric and luminescent is studied. Detection sensitivity can be gained by taking advantage of the luminescence of these products, something that has not been done to date. When the appropriate chemistry is chosen for explosive detection, time-resolved imaging techniques may again be applicable. This dissertation thus looks at possibilities of taking trace explosives detection to this next level.