Understanding Explosive Detection with Screening Technologies

John HowellDirector of Explosives Technologies

Understanding the capabilities and limitations of screening technologies to detect an explosive threat is key in training first

responders in their roles as the Subject Matter Expert (SME). This course will enhance state and local SMEs in providing training to

state and local LEO’s operating screening checkpoints to more accurately detect the explosive threat.

Terminal Learning Objective

Training State and Local Who needs this training?

• Sheriff Departments that provide security at County Courthouses

• State LEO’s that provide security at State Government buildings

• Contract Guard forces providing security to courthouses or State Government buildings

Two Main Technologies

Metal Detection&

X-Ray

Metal Detection System vs an IED

• Will only detect the metallic content of a Improvised Explosive Device (IED)

• For training classify IED’s in 2 categories:

Electrically initiated (higher metallic content)

Non electrically initiated (little or no metallic content)

Metallic Content of a Electrically Initiated IED

Explosive Wire/Switch Initiator Frag/Container Power

These will NOT Alarm on any metal

detection system

These will Typically NOT Alarm on any

metal detection system

These will NOT Alarm on any

metal detection system

If it is metal YES, If not NO

Depends on the size of the battery

and the settings of the metal detector

Metallic Content of an Non Electrically Initiated IED

If the device has no metallic content or metal fragmentation added it WILL not ALARM in a walk thru metal Detector NO ALARM

NO ALARM ALARM

• 20 different programs each with a different sensitivity setting or level of detection

• Very vague as to what they can detect

• ZERO information about ability to detect an IED

Before you can even begin to address trying to detect an IED threat in a walk through metal detector you have to verify the units program and sensitivity setting

Myths About Metal Detectors

It can DISCRIMINATE between a threat and non threat items as shown in this vendor diagram.

THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!!!

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Units have a high false alarm %: No such thing as a false alarm on a metal detector

The WTMD detects all metal objects and cannot tell the difference between a threat and non threat.

Myths About Metal Detectors

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How Do I Know What Program And Sensitivity To Set My WTMD Unit

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WTMD SETTINGS GUIDE

This guide has been developed to help Law Enforcement determine what setting they will use for the walk thrus.

It will provide to you what each setting will and will not detect based on the following categories:1. Guns2. Knives3. Explosive devices4. False alarm rate

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WTMD SETTINGS GUIDE

WTMD SETTINGS GUIDE

The guide provides you the overall detection percentage for each category of threat on each units different program settings

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WTMD SETTINGS GUIDEThe guide provides you the overall detection percentage for each category of threat on each units different program settings

Walk Thru Metal Detector Demonstration

Checkpoint X-Ray Detection of an IED

Quiz

1. What color does C-4 turn in an x-ray?2. What color does dynamite turn in an x-ray?3. What should you see inside of a blasting cap in the x-ray?4. What Color does molding clay turn in an x-ray?5. Does saw dust and wax have the same density as the explosives used in dynamite?

ORANGEORANGE

Bridge wire, Lead Azide, Main Charge, metal sleeve

GREEN

NO

Types of X-Ray Systems

• Single Generator 140-160 KV• Dual Energy (Color)• Automatic explosive detection

capability• Automatic high density detection

capability• Built in x-ray interpretation

training• Many State offices buy cheap or

used systems• Typically base models with no bells

and whistles

How Do Explosives Respond in X-Ray

Live explosives respond in a x-ray based on their density and effective atomic number (Z eff). This is represented by COLOR. Most all explosives have a density between .7 -1.6 grams per cubic centimeter and Z eff number of 6.5-7.5. They turn ORANGE!

Color Element Type Examples

Orange Organic Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, paper, textiles, food, wood, water, plastics, Most explosives: TNT, Dynamite, Deta Sheet, Time Fuse, Det Cord, C4, smokeless powder, TATP, HMTD

Green In Between Inorganic, processed or synthetic materials (Aluminum, sodium, chlorine, processed salt)Black Powder

Blue Inorganic Titanium, chromium, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, tin, lead, gold, silver, Firearms, ammunition, knives, wires, batteries, electrical items, zippers

Z eff 0-10

Z eff 10-15

Z eff 15 and up

How Do Explosives Respond in X-Ray

Average Atomic # (Z eff)

TNT

Calculates the average atomic number for a compound or mixture of materials

Zeff: 6.943

Density: ~1.6 g/cm3

Density of an Explosive

Density of an Explosive

DSA Semtex 1H

Average Atomic # (Z eff) and Density Chart

This slide is completely wrong and does not accurately show what an IED really looks like in a x-ray. If a student is taught based on the slide below you are making a incredible mistake.

How Do Explosives Respond in X-Ray

WRONG COLOR and NO DetectionBlasting Cap not accurate

All x-ray machines have the ability to auto detect any material that matches the density and Z eff ranges of explosives by placing an Red Box around the material. This helps the screener identify a explosive threat.

How Do Explosives Respond in X-Ray

No Detection

How Do Explosives Respond in X-Ray

TNT Flake and Cast Composition B

Commercial Dynamite

How Do Explosives Respond in X-Ray

C-4 Composition # 4

Cast Booster TNT ANFO

How Do Explosives Respond in X-Ray

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Slurry Commercial Explosives Detonating Cord

Ammonium PerchlorateSheet Explosives

Non-detectable Explosive

If you are showing a student an IED that is Green it is not x-ray correct! If your training aid explosive simulant will not auto detect (red box) it is not x-

ray correct!

Visually CorrectCorrect DensityCorrect Z eff #Correct ColorAuto Detection (RED BOX)

Wrong Color

X-ray Correct VS Non X-Ray Correct

WRONG

M112 Block

Semtex H

VS.

Secure Search

Correct DensityCorrect Z eff #Correct ColorAuto Detection (Red Box)

WRONG

X-ray Correct vs not x-ray correct

Low Explosives/Pipe Bombs

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Metal Pipe Bomb PVC Pipe Bomb with gun powder and live squib

Low Explosives/Pipe Bombs

Most X-Ray systems have an

automatic detection capability for high

density objects. This will detect a

metal pipe but not PVC pipes

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Grenades

Most X-Ray systems have an automatic detection capability for high density objects. This will detect a hand grenade. Only if it is turned on….

Lead Azide Dark MassIn Military M6 Elect cap

Lead Azide dark mass in Non Elect

Metal sleeve commonTo Commercial caps

Squib

Blasting Caps/Detonators/Initiators

Inert Detonators vs. Real Detonator

Live Detonator

Typical Inert Training Detonator

Blasting Caps/Detonators/Initiators

New EOD Portable Dual Energy X-Rays

Quiz Answers1. What color does C-4 turn in a x-ray? ORANGE

2. What color does dynamites turn in a x-ray? ORANGE

3. What should you see inside of a blasting cap in the x-ray? Orange color main charge, Black lead Azide, Blue metal sleeve, etc.4. Does modeling clay have the same density as C-4? NO, that is why clay turns Green

5. Does saw dust and wax have the same density at the explosives used in dynamites? NO, that is why it will not auto detect (red box)

Slide 6 – Heading change the a to an ElectronicallySlide 9 – change show to shownSlide 18 – unbold the #1, center the heading, change a to an x-ray or the x-ray, and delete the s on dynamites