Inspection system design to confirm manifests and detect contraband in shipping containers

Kimchinh K-C Tran; Michael J. Hurwitz; Richard C. Smith

doi:10.1117/12.172545

1 February 1994 Inspection system design to confirm manifests and detect contraband in shipping containers

Kimchinh K-C Tran, Michael J. Hurwitz, Richard C. Smith

Proceedings Volume 2093, Substance Identification Analytics; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.172545
Event: Substance Identification Technologies, 1993, Innsbruck, Austria

Abstract

We produced a product design concept for an economical, automatic, shipping container inspection system to be used for detection of contraband, including illicit drugs, and for trade enforcement via shipping manifest confirmation. Using nondestructive, 3D imaging, nuclear techniques the system can see deeply into the cargo by generating a spatial image of an entire container's contents automatically and in real time. Its cost is lower than present inspection methods. The approach divides a container into numerous, small, volume elements that are individually interrogated using pulsed fast neutron analysis. Acquired information is subjected to analysis based on a neutron-gamma physics data base and is enhanced using imaging and discrimination techniques. We have designed, built, and operated a laboratory apparatus which has demonstrated the attractiveness of this approach. Experimental data were found to agree with design expectations derived from computer modeling. By combining selected element signatures and phenomenological measures, together with discrimination algorithms, we demonstrated that a full-scale inspection system needs only 10 - 15 minutes to process an 8 foot X 8 foot X 40 foot container in order to detect hidden contraband.

Citation Download Citation

Kimchinh K-C Tran, Michael J. Hurwitz, and Richard C. Smith "Inspection system design to confirm manifests and detect contraband in shipping containers", Proc. SPIE 2093, Substance Identification Analytics, (1 February 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.172545

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