Terrorists Will Be Recognized by Smell

In Germany, a "smart" smell detector network technology is being created which will identify a terrorist act if it is being prepared in the crowd.

The Bundeswehr soldiers tested this technology; it successfully recognized the smell of explosives and explosive materials carried by the "terrorists".

Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Communications, Information Processing and Ergonomics Institute researchers developed and refined a security system called "HAMLeT" (Hazardous Material Person Localization and Tracking). The electronic sensors, used in this technology, will be able to detect chemicals which are used in explosives. These highly sensitive electronic "noses" record components of explosives and molecules. If such materials are recorded in the environment, "HAMLeT" system processes the sensor data, compares the results of measurements recorded in the building, or open space, monitors the movement of people, determines the source of dangerous materials and informs the airport security and secret service officers.

Fraunhofer Institute's report says that the safety system, installed in the airport, may identify separate components of explosives which are being carried to the plane by a terrorist before he could reach the boarding hall. Electronic "noses" will be hidden in terminals and in their connecting corridor walls. Molecules of hazardous substances will be identified as soon as you enter the airport building. The safety system will immediately alert the airport security service and the suspects will be monitored with video cameras. " HAMLeT " itself will also follow the movement of terrorist suspects with its sensor networks.

The primary network will determine the hazardous materials and "smell" them in order to identify a specific individual who might be carrying them, and the secondary network, which uses laser scanners to record the movement of suspects. During the security system prototype testing, which also involved representatives of the German army, the ability of "HAMLeT" system was demonstrated. It was able to track and detect 5 simulated terrorists which carried hidden explosives components. Currently, scientists are developing the system's algorithms to reduce the numbers of false reports.

This new system could be revolutionary in the war with terror and incidents in airports could be reduced. The main concern is - will this system be accurate and give true reports?

Sources:

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=2738
http://www.fraunhofer.de/en/