Search

The present study was performed to investigate the influences of rearing type, time of weaning, and maternal bond on the narcotic detection efficacy of police dogs. One hundred German shepherd dogs (52 males and 48 females) were utilized in this study. The study was divided into three experiments. Experiment I: dogs were divided into two groups with known previous history of rearing system; the first group received natural rearing (natural suckling). While the second group received artificial rearing. Experiment II: dogs were distributed into three groups. In the first group, dogs were weaned at 8 weeks, in the second group, dogs were weaned at 12 weeks and in the third group, dogs were orphans. Experiment III: dogs were distributed into two groups. The first group contained the dogs which were trained in the presence of their mothers, while the second group contained the dogs which were trained in the absence of their mothers. Results revealed that the narcotics detection trainability performance measures were significantly affected by the rearing system, time of weaning as well as the maternal bond, where the naturally reared dogs, dogs weaned at 12 weeks and those trained in the presence of their mothers showed better performance represented by the higher proportions of correct alerts and the lower false alerts, and chances and passes to detect the narcotics. These observations suggests that the events of the past (rearing type, extension of suckling and maternal bond) are correlated to and positively affected the future behavior and narcotic detection efficacy of police dogs without the need for additional reinforcements. In conclusion, this study can be a base for further research toward reducing the expensive and time-consuming training practices required for adult working dogs to locate narcotics and other objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Availability of fentanyl is at a record high with 3138 kg of fentanyl and related substances being seized in 2019. Fentanyl's high toxicity makes a lethal dose for most mere milligrams. With such a high potency and a consistent rise of abuse, the chances of injury or death of frontline workers increase with every interaction. Development of a non-contact detection method for fentanyl would decrease the chances of a workplace mishap. To aid in the development of a non-contact detection method, target analytes in the vapor profile of fentanyl need to be identified. In order to achieve this goal, semi-quantitative headspace analysis of fentanyl analogs and confiscated fentanyl exhibits was accomplished using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). The vapor signatures of these samples were compared to a previously reported reference-grade fentanyl vapor signature to determine the target analyte(s) for fentanyl detection in the vapor phase. A total of 20 fentalogs and confiscated exhibits, with masses ranging from 2 to 19 mg, were sampled. N-Phenylpropanamide(NPPA) or N-phenethyl-4-piperidone(NPP) was identified as target analytes in 75% of these samples. This is a crucial component for the development of a non-contact detection method for fentanyl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection canines are utilized worldwide in some of the most challenging field conditions for the detection of narcotics, explosives, and other targets. Much remains unknown, however, how these challenging conditions impact detection canine performance. Anecdotal evidence suggests that detection dogs require a "start-up" period – a short duration of time working – before performing optimally. These dogs commonly rest in climate-controlled settings (such as in a climate-controlled vehicle) and quickly transition to searches in contrasting conditions, which may exacerbate the issue. Accordingly, this study sought to quantify the magnitude and duration of the start-up period, and to identify any further effects on performance due to rapid transitions into extreme temperature/humidity conditions. The detection threshold of seven dogs was established for methyl benzoate (an odor simulant of illicit cocaine) under standard conditions using an air dilution olfactometer. A series of evaluations were then conducted to determine changes in this threshold when the dogs were rapidly transitioned from standard conditions to one of six temperature/humidity conditions - hot-humid, warm-humid, hot-dry, standard, cold-dry and cold-humid. Temperatures ranged from 0 to 40 ºC and relative humidity ranged from <40 % to >85 %. Changes in detection threshold were measured via a series of three "probes" of six trials, with a 2 min inter-probe interval to habituate to environmental conditions. Probes started at the dogs' estimated threshold and decreased in concentration based on correct performance. Overall, dogs showed substantial decrements in the hot-humid condition followed by moderate decrements in hot-dry and warm-humid conditions. Cold conditions did not produce statistically significant decrements. In addition, the data indicate that a start-up period does exist when canines transition from a state of rest directly into a search assignment. The duration of this start-up period was initially measured to be several minutes long; but after the first series of testing (approximately a couple months of training/testing), the dogs only exhibited a decrement in performance on the first trial of a session. Overall, the results suggest that environmental conditions and a brief "start-up" effect should be considered as important variables that can impact detection canine performance. • Detection dogs often deploy from climate-controlled conditions to searches in a wide range of environments. • Dogs showed decrements in search behavior/detection performance when rapidly transitioning from standard to hot conditions. • The Hot/Humid environmental condition was most disruptive. • Dogs showed a "start-up" effect with performance poorest at the start of a search session across all environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alakai Defense Systems has recently developed a man-portable ultraviolet Raman spectrometer system. The portable Raman improvised explosives detector was designed to provide rapid, standoff detection of chemicals of interest to the end user, including, but not limited to explosives, narcotics, toxic industrial chemicals, and toxic industrial materials. In this paper, we discuss general aspects of the system design and user interface. Spectral and instrument performance data are shown for several common materials involved in narcotics manufacture, as well as cocaine and heroin, with comparisons to currently marketed handheld Raman instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A brief description is given of some applications of X-ray diffraction imaging (XDI) in security screening, including detection of narcotics and a wide range of explosives: organic (plastic) explosives, liquids, home-made explosives (HMEs) and special nuclear materials (SNMs). A Bayesian formulation of the “rare event scenario” is presented, allowing the probability to be quantified that an unlikely threat is indeed present when an uncertain detection system raises an alarm. Granted the utility of X-ray diffraction (XRD) as a significant screening modality for false-alarm resolution, the topic of its technological feasibility is addressed. It is shown that, in analogy to computed tomography, XDI permits a significant reduction to be achieved in measurement time per object volume element (voxel) compared with that of a classical X-ray diffractometer. This reduction can be accomplished by designing the XDI system to record energy-dispersive XRD profiles from many volume elements (object voxels) in parallel. A general scheme for designing “massively-parallel” (MP) XDI systems is presented. XDI configurations of the first generation (1 voxels−1), second generation (100 voxelss−1) and third generation (104 voxelss−1) are presented and discussed. Three alternative 3rd Generation XDI geometries, namely: direct fan-beam; parallel (waterfall) beam; and inverse fan-beam are compared with respect to technological realization. Directions for future development of XDI in screening applications are outlined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) method has been applied to Heroin Base (HB) to find an optimised multi-pulse technique for effective detection of HB. Experimental results of applying the proposed spin-locking multi-pulse (SLMP) technique to nitrogen-14 NQR in this sample are presented and convincingly demonstrate as a path towards efficient detection. A detection using a sequence of this character could be achieved over real-world scan volumes for screening of goods. All experiments were carried out at room temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Currently, the narcotic sniffing dog remains the most accurate, reliable, and widely used sensing technology in the war on drugs. However, recent studies done at the Institute for Biological Detection Systems at Auburn University, Auburn, AL, have shown that in the presence of extraneous odors (nontarget odors), these animals show a higher propensity for so-called false alarms. For this reason, there have been an increasing demand for a portable, highly specific vapor-sensing device capable of distinguishing a target vapor signature in a complex odor. In this paper, we present the results of a series of experiments demonstrating real-time vapor phase detection of cocaine molecules. A distinctive response or signature was observed under laboratory conditions, where the cocaine vapors were presented using an INEL vapor generator and under "field" conditions facilitated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab. For these experiments, the sensor component was an ST-X quartz resonator with a center frequency of approximately 250-MHz. Anti-benzoylecgonine (anti-BZE) antibodies are attached to the electrodes on the device surface via a protein-A cross linker. We observed a large transient frequency shift accompanied by baseline shift with the anti-BZE coated sensor. After repeated experiments and the use of numerous controls, we believe that we have achieved real-time molecular recognition of cocaine molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Like using a substandard calibrant to test and calibrate an instrumental detector, when detection canines are regularly exposed to less than optimal training material, their detection proficiency is diminished, risking the lives of their handlers and civilians they are intended to protect. This research examined canine detection proficiency to odor mixtures and the use of mixture training to improve said proficiency. Trained detection canines were tested on their ability to correctly locate their trained target odors, explosives or narcotics, in various mixtures from a series of blanks and distractor odors. After making base measurements, canines were trained on the target odor in mixtures using the Mixed Odor Delivery Device (MODD), which was previously developed to safely contain separated explosive components and deliver the mixed odor to a canine detector for training purposes. Headspace measurements, made using solid phase microextraction with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS), were also taken of mixture components in and out of the MODD to confirm that odor mixtures were accurately portrayed to the canines during MODD training. Following mixture training, canines were retested on the same mixtures. Results of the headspace analysis showed that the MODD did not alter the delivery of the odorants from the mixture components. As such, canines showed an improved proficiency in detection of target mixtures following mixture training, increasing the detection rate from 63% to 72% for pseudo cocaine mixtures and from 19% to 100% for explosive mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The binding affinity constants of 14 OBPs and MUPs for 19 illicit chemicals were determined experimentally. • 6 OBPS and MUPs were selected to make a Surface Acoustic Wave based gas sensor array. • Some proteins retained their binding specificity in the vapor phase. • The array was broadly tuned to selected chemical targets. • Narcotics and explosives could be detected and discriminated using the sensor array. The detection and identification of dangerous substances including narcotics or explosives remain a major challenge for customs agencies. In this context, a range of natural and modified Ligand Binding Proteins (LBPs) belonging to the families of Odorant Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Major Urinary Proteins (MUPs) were selected and integrated on to nanodiamond coated surface acoustic wave (SAW) transducers. An array of sensors was created, targeting the detection of explosives and illegal drugs with high sensitivity and selectivity, based on the ligand binding affinities of these compounds to the protein binding pockets. The affinity constant of 14 LBPs toward 19 chemical targets was initially assessed in aqueous solution by competitive binding assay using fluorescence probe N-phenylnaphthalen-1-amine (1-NPN) for insect OBPs and MUPs and 1-aminoanthracene (1-AMA) for porcine OBPs. The sensing performances of SAW transducers grafted with selected proteins were then investigated in the vapor phase and their sensitivities compared to the ligand binding behavior of the LBPs in liquid. A linear response in the concentration range from ppb to low ppm values was observed for all sensors. Some correlation between sensitivities in the vapor phase and affinity constants was observed for most proteins. The sensor array was able to discriminate between a range of explosives and narcotic compounds as demonstrated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). These results hold promise for the use of bioelectronics noses in such security applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DETECHIP ® is a molecular sensing array used for identification of a large variety of substances. Previous methodology for the analysis of DETECHIP ® used human vision to distinguish color changes induced by the presence of the analyte of interest. This paper describes several analysis techniques using digital images of DETECHIP ® . Both a digital camera and flatbed desktop photo scanner were used to obtain Jpeg images. Color information within these digital images was obtained through the measurement of red-green-blue (RGB) values using software such as GIMP, Photoshop and ImageJ. Several different techniques were used to evaluate these color changes. It was determined that the flatbed scanner produced in the clearest and more reproducible images. Furthermore, codes obtained using a macro written for use within ImageJ showed improved consistency versus pervious methods.