Detecting suicide bombersDetecting suicide bombers from a safe distance
Suicide bombings have now spread to Syria; a Florida company produces equipment designed to aid in the detection of a suicide bomber at standoff distances, before a terrorist can reach his intended target
In a recent incident of a suspected suicide bomb plot, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) captured a Palestinian with two explosive devices near a West Bank roadblock. The bombs were detonated at a controlled destination, and the terror suspect is being held for questioning.
That incident comes following a deadly suicide bombing in Syria that claimed at least nine lives in Damascus. An Islamic group identifying itself as al-Nusra Front claimed responsibility, saying its operative detonated his explosive in the midst of 150 Syrian security forces.
“We are fortunate the IDF was able to apprehend the suspected West Bank terrorist before tragedy could occur,” said Richard Salem, CEO of Tampa, Florida-based threat detection maker Thermal Matrix International. “But as we have seen in Syria, not all potential threats are being discovered in time.”
Thermal Matrix produces equipment designed to aid in the detection of a suicide bomber at standoff distances, before a terrorist can reach his intended target. The company says the technology can detect plastic, liquid, powder, and gel explosives, which may not be seen when hidden beneath clothing, nor detected by metal detectors at entry check points.
The company’s ACT Threat Detection System integrates with infrared sensors, aiding in concealed object threat detection through target identification, target tracking, and color analysis of potential PBIEDs (person-borne improvised explosive devices). The company notes that the system also displays and controls the imagery of multiple sensors, adding the ability to record, review, and archive scenes at a safe distance.
The two most recent suicide bomb incidents are not isolated. In the West Bank alone, two Palestinians with four pipe bombs were arrested one week ago. Earlier in April another terrorist was detained, found to be in possession of seven improvised explosive devices. Officials were quoted as saying they suspected the Palestinian planned to attack Israeli civilians or soldiers during Passover.
“The threat situations we have seen over the past couple days are exactly the types of situations our technology can help defuse,” Salem said. “We expect these attempts to continue until we can demonstrate to terrorists that we have advance warning technology capable of stopping them.”
The company also notes that although the system aids in detecting what is hidden beneath clothing, it is not an x-ray. This means there are no invasion of privacy concerns since the technology does not depict any anatomical features.
