© Photo: North
Rhine-Westphalia State Office of Criminal Investigation
Police emergency
personnel defuse a suitcase bomb.
(January 5, 2015) Abandoned
items of luggage are frequently found at airports and train stations. This is a
case for the emergency services, who have to assume that these items might
contain bombs. They must assess the potential threat quickly, avert any
possible danger, and preserve evidence for criminal proceedings. In the future,
police will have the support of a remote-controlled sensor system as they go
about their duties. Fraunhofer researchers are developing this sensor suite in
cooperation with industry partners and criminal investigation authorities.
© Photo: German
Federal Armed Forces / Bienert
Inspecting a
suspicious vest for explosives.
Anyone who forgets their luggage in public places, airports
or train stations will spark off a large-scale police operation. Time and
again, suitcases, bags or backpacks left lying around unsupervised cause a bomb
alert. Admittedly, most abandoned luggage items turn out to be harmless. But in
the first instance the emergency services have to proceed on the assumption of
possible danger and check whether they are dealing with an improvised explosive
device (IED) that might blow up at any time. This involves getting up close to
the luggage to inspect it. A system that makes it possible to assess the danger
of the situation quickly – and also records 3D images of the contents and shape
of the luggage as well as of the surrounding area – would make the specialists’
work considerably easier, speed up the reconnaissance process, and minimize the
risk for the emergency personnel.