BomDetec - wide area surveillance and suicide bomber detection

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d10008664

Amidst the manifold threats currently afflicting society, that of body-worn explosives is significant if not altogether paramount. Veiled under layers of clothing by individual suicide bombers, these explosives are often constructed of non-standard parts, making detection at a safe distance difficult. It behooves us to develop a detection system capable of locating such explosives at distances sufficient to prevent suicide bombers from approaching densely populated or strategically important areas. Funded by the Department of Homeland Security, the intent of this project is to synthesize four technologies--intelligent video, radar, X-ray, and terahertz--into one surveillance system for suicide bomber detection. Ideally, bombers will be identified at distances of up to fifty meters. Using intelligent video, bombers will be identified visually, prompting the operation of the other three technologies all aimed in the direction of the identified suspect. These three additional sensors will, together, detect and confirm the presence of metal and explosive materials on the person. Radar will be capable of detecting the presence of metal at distances equal to or greater than 50m. At closerdistances-->10m--x-ray backscatter will be capable of confirming metal anddetecting explosives. At still closer distances--~10m--Terahertz (THz) radiation will sense and spectroscopically identify the explosives. The synthesis of these four technologies, with the signal processing and graphic interfaces necessary to make them useful, hinges on the cooperation of the industry partners: Northeastern University (NEU), AS&E, PPT, Raytheon, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and Siemens.