Operator Course

• Trace

• Sampling

• Equipment overview

• Analysis

Course Overview

The I3 can detect a small amount of explosive particles, down to one billionth of a gram (the size of a grain of salt cut into a thousand pieces).

Pan Am 103, Lockerbie, Scotland

Trace

The I3 is just one more tool to help you improve your ability to detect Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Use it along with your X-ray, metal detectors, canine units, physical inspections, and current security measures.

Trace

Improvised Explosive Device (IED)

Common Components: Explosive material Initiator/detonator Power source/battery Timer Wires/IR

Trace

Plastic Explosives: RDX (C-4) PETN SEMTEX (PETN/RDX)

Substances Detected

Trace

Other Explosives: TNT Trinitrotoluene DNT Dinitrotoluene NG Nitroglycerine HMX Cyclotetramethylene

tetranitramine

AMNO3 Ammonium nitrate

TETRYL

Trace

Substances Detected

How Do Explosive Traces Get Transferred?

• Explosive traces cling to anything they touch.

• Explosive traces transfer from person to person, person to object, object to object and airborne.

Trace

• Cargo, mail, and packages

• Conveyance access - Security access points, border crossings, checkpoints

• Baggage • Facilities protection -

government buildings, correctional institutions

Where is Trace Detection Applied?

Trace

Which of the following can be detected with the VT2?

Gun Radio lined with plastic explosive Heart medication Pepper spray Laptop with concealed explosives Stun gun Explosive traces on a car door handle

Trace

What is an IED?

What are some of the explosives the I3 can detect?

What are some things the I3 cannot detect?

Are explosive traces illegal?

How are traces transferred?

Trace

• Remember, traces cling to surfaces• Determine areas for sampling• Load a sample trap onto the wand or wipe by hand, and

sample targeted areas

Sampling

Sampling Traps Sampling Wand Gloves Sampling Table or Area Alcohol (isopropyl 70% or greater)

Materials and Equipment for Sampling

Sampling

• Insert the sample trap into the desorber.

• Wait for message:

Please Remove Sample

Sampling

Vehicles: Door handle Gas cap Steering wheel Knobs Seat Belt Luggage Wherever there

may be a fingerprint.

Avoid sampling engine parts.

Sampling

Sampling Fundamentals

Luggage/Bags/Briefcases: Handles Straps Zipper tabs Latches Interior seams and linings Commonly touched areas

Sampling

Sampling Fundamentals

Electronic Devices: Vents Seams Battery compartments Disk drives Edges Latches

AVOID SAMPLING: Monitors Keyboards Camera lenses

Sampling

Sampling Fundamentals

Sampling

What are some sampling fundamentals? What areas could we sample on a

vehicle? What areas could we sample on a

vehicle? Electronic item? Luggage?

What areas do we avoid sampling? Why?

When do we discard a sample trap?

Desorber

Touchscreen

Printer

Equipment Overview

Select Scan Display

Equipment Overview

Rear View

Equipment Overview

Where is the sampling trap placed?

Describe the Select Scan screen.

How long is a cold-start warm-up?

When do you shut the unit down?

Equipment Overview

Place the sample trap into the desorber. Analysis begins automatically. Maintain control of the item you are

sampling. Observe No Alarm - Ready or

Explosives Detected on the display. Remove the sampling trap. If No Alarm - Ready, reuse the trap. If

Explosives Detected, discard trap and gloves.

Analysis

Analysis

Resolve the alarm in accordance with current SOP.

Examples: Contact your supervisor. Maintain control of item. Let the owner know that further

samples may be necessary. Decontaminate the work area.

Press the CLEAR button. In most cases the unit will

clear after an alarm. Otherwise, maintenance may be necessary.

Clearing the Unit After an Alarm

Analysis

What is the indication of an alarm? No alarm?

What button do you press to clear the unit?

What do you do with the trap after an alarm?

Analysis

• Trace

• Sampling

• Equipment overview

• Analysis

Course Review