Device could offer more accurate baggage screening

Designed to detect threats including explosive and incendiary materials, the proof-of-principle system is being developed for a project funded under the Innovative Research Call in Explosives and Weapons Detection (2007), a programme sponsored under the Home Office’s counter-terrorism (CONTEST) strategy.

UCL, headed by Prof Robert Speller, approached Barrow-upon-Soar-based 3DX-RAY after completing a feasibility study into alternative methods of producing 3D tomographic images for baggage inspection. 3DX-RAY provided the hardware and systems expertise to integrate UCL’s new tomographic imaging software to produce a proof-of-principle system.

Checked baggage inspection is designed to eliminate false alarms from threats through a series of inspections and the first line of defence is 2D X-rays, which are prone to delivering high false-alarm rates.

CT scanning X-ray techniques are said to be more accurate but are costly and slow. UCL believes it has identified a more accurate and effective system that will lower the volume of bags that have to go for additional screening.