Serious Gaming for Improvised Explosive Device Neutralization Training

<p>An improvised explosive device (IED) is a “homemade” bomb intended to cause great harm when it explodes. The public safety task of identifying and neutralizing IEDs falls to military and police services often called explosive disposal units (EDU) who act to neutralize the threat associated with the IED either rendering it inoperable or destroying it safely. EDUs train in various aspects of explosive handling and investigation but are limited in the tools available for safely analyzing real world bombs. This paper describes a game based approach to IED training that employs an interactive 3D simulation to spatially identify key IED components of interest. We give an example of how this approach might be used and provide a preliminary evaluation of its potential effectiveness. We employ images formed from a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) system captured using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology to a virtual IED in a game. Empirical evaluation and EDU testimony suggest accurate representation of the IED and the potential efficacy of the proposed approach for successfully identifying components in the bomb for the purposes of EDU training.</p>

An improvised explosive device (IED) is a bomb constructed from unknown materials, often concealed, such as inside an innocuous container, and deployed in unconventional ways resulting in a potentially deadly weapon. Public safety personnel such as Explosive Disposal Units (EDUs), are trained in the safe handling of explosives and the threats posed by IEDs. One method of neutralizing a suspect IED is to use water fired from a high-powered dispersion weapon commonly known as a disrupter cannon. Our research proposes an algorithm for developing an IED neutralization simulation that can emulate real-world physical effects of the successful neutralization of an IED without danger to the public or first responders. This algorithm includes 6 methodologies with the goal of providing EDU with additional information on the potential physical dispersion of the components of an IED and any major points of impact (splatter) and possible actionable intelligence on the pose and direction of a disrupter cannon for a successful neutralization of an IED. We have developed a prototype simulation based on this algorithm and evaluated the simulation with an appropriate real-world disrupter and compared the real-world splatter to our simulation’s splatter. We argue systems developed with our algorithm may provide relevant information directly from the simulation and can be accurately used to analyze particle dispersion for the purposes of augmenting EDU IED neutralization processes.

An attack with a "improvised" explosive device (IED) is when someone uses a bomb and/or destructive device to cause damage, render someone helpless, harass, or divert attention. Terrorists, criminals, vandals, suicide bombers, and rebels all utilize IEDs. IEDs can take many different shapes because they are improvised; they can be as simple as a pipe bomb or as complex as a sophisticated weapon that can inflict significant damage and casualties. IEDs can be transported or carried in a car; they can also be delivered in a package; they can be delivered by a person; or they can be hidden by the side of the road. In the course of 2023, INSEMEX perfected, patented, and tested the liquid-jet neutralization device of the improvised explosive devices DNJLDEI (prototype for an improvised bombs neutralization device, Patented Request CBI OSIM nr. a/00178/11.04.2023), which has the potential to be a valuable tool for urban interventions against terrorist attack. In this paper was presented the liquid-jet neutralization device of the improvised explosive devices DNJLDEI (prototype for a neutralization device of improvised explosive bombs), which has the potential to be a valuable tool for urban interventions against the terrorist attack. Tests were carried out for the two improved variants of plastic containers, with measurements of the velocity of the projected liquid jet (water). The experimental test program of DNJLDEI included the final verification of functionality of new prototype of IED neutralization device, based on liquid-jet, the operational validation being performed upon a bomb briefcase, which was neutralised by accuracy destroying of detonator, without damages of explosive charge.

Blast injuries caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) are becoming more common in civilian settings. However, physicians may not be familiar with the treatment and management of blast-injured victims. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a blast injury caused by an IED in Japan. A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital's emergency department after sustaining a blast injury. His vital signs were stable, but he had multiple small wounds with embedded foreign bodies that were consistent with injuries sustained by IED victims. The patient was treated for his injuries and was moved to another hospital on day 37. Knowledge about blast injuries caused by IEDs and management strategies for mass casualties are both necessary.

Chemical analysis of the residues from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has become a topical subject as a result of increased frequency of terrorist bomb attacks. There is a need to identify the type of explosive device and its composition, which in turn can assist in the identification of the perpetrators. IEDs can either be organic based (high explosives) or the more easily produced inorganic‐based low explosives. Analysis of residues remaining after the deflagration of an inorganic IED presents several problems. A wide variety of ionic species may be present (such as unconsumed starting products, ionic species formed as part of the reaction) along with environmental or background species. Therefore, it is important that the target ions used to identify the device can be separated from other background ions present in the sample. The instrumental techniques of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and ion chromatography (IC) are proving to be ideally suited to this task. Both techniques have fundamental advantages, with CE offering highly efficient separations within a short run time, and IC offering high selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility. In this article, an outline of the analytical methods used in this area is presented, with a particular focus on the application of CE and IC. A brief literature review of published methods is provided, along with background information on inorganic explosives, sampling techniques, portable instrumentation, and recent developments.

4 - Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are commonly utilised by terrorist and criminal groups, and can be constructed using inexpensive and readily accessible materials. Despite the challenges posed by detonation, the DNA of those who made or placed the device may be recovered from the components of detonated IEDs. However, the recovered DNA is often scarce, degraded, damaged, and in the form of both cell-bound and cell-free DNA from, for example, skin contact. This study examines the recovery and the success of downstream analysis of DNA from various biological sources, including cell-bound blood and touch DNA and extracted cell-free DNA. DNA from different sources was deposited on different IED components with different surface materials. The IEDs were detonated using 40 g, 80 g, or 125 g of dynamite and DNA was sampled and analysed using real-time qPCR, STR analysis and mtDNA sequencing. The results indicated that multiple factors, including the type of DNA from different biological sources, dynamite weight, component type, DNA location and surface material, influenced the rate of successful genotyping. It was also demonstrated that the DNA quantities, and the success in STR profiling and mtDNA amplification were highly correlated for both cell-bound DNA and cell-free DNA. Moreover, sampling from internal phone components and PVC surfaces demonstrated higher DNA-typing success rates than DNA on external phone surfaces or metal-based components (SIM card holder, electrical wires, and circuit boards). DNA from blood revealed the highest rates of successful STR genotyping results across most detonated IED components, even for the highest weights of dynamite tested. Furthermore, mtDNA sequencing demonstrated a high success rate for low-template samples, even after the use of high amounts of explosive weight. A majority of DNA traces found on detonated IEDs are likely to consist of touch DNA from the production of the device. Here, the touch DNA samples on 9 V batteries yielded more DNA and higher success in DNA profiling than DNA on toggle switches and metal-containing electrical wires. These findings provide valuable insights into practical strategies for DNA recovery and analysis in IED-related forensic investigations.

Following the development of point sensing improvised explosive device (IED) technology[1] Cascade Technologies have initial work in the development of equivalent stand-off capability. Stand-off detection of IEDs is a very important technical requirement that would enable the safe identification and quantification of hazardous materials prior to a terrorist attack. This could provide advanced warning of potential danger allowing evacuation and mitigation measures to be implemented. With support from the UK government, Cascade Technologies is currently investigating technology developments aimed at addressing the above stand-off IED detection capability gap. To demonstrate and validate the concept, a novel stand-off platform will target the detection and identification of common high vapor pressure IED precursor compounds, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), emanating from a point source. By actively probing a scene with polarized light, the novel platform will offer both enhanced selectivity and sensitivity as compared to traditional hyperspectral sensors, etc. The presentation will highlight the concept of this novel detection technique as well as illustrating preliminary results.

BackgroundThis study evaluated the VIsion PERformance (VIPER) simulator’s ability to assess the functional visual performance in warfighters conducting civilian and military tasks.MethodsThirty service members, aged 25–35 years old with a best corrected distance visual acuity (VA) better than or equal to 20/20 or logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) 0.00, were randomized to locate and identify road signs and mock improvised explosive devices (IEDs) under either daytime conditions or with infrared imagery, with (cc) and without (sc) wearing their habitual correction. Participants also underwent binocular uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) visual assessment, refraction, contrast sensitivity testing and wavefront aberrometry.ResultsThe mean age was 28.47 years. The manifest spherical equivalent was − 3.16 ± 1.75 diopters (D), the UDVA in both eyes (OU) was logMAR 0.83 ± 0.47, and the CDVA OU was − 0.11 ± 0.06. For VIPER, the mean difference in the detection distance (DD) for road signs ccDD vs. scDD was 76.7 ± 52.8 m (P < 0.001). The average difference in identification distance (ID) ccID vs. scID was 13.9 ± 6.3 m (P < 0.001). The mean accuracies were 83.5 and 27.9% for cc and sc, respectively (P < 0.001). The regression analysis indicated that a 1.6 m change in the distance accounts for a 1% change in the accuracy (P = 0.002). Without correction, a 4.1 m change accounts for a 1% change in the accuracy (P < 0.001). The average IED ccDD was 29.9 ± 8.2 m, and that for scDD was 13.2 ± 13.6 m (P < 0.001). The average IED ccID was 32.2 ± 6.2 m and that for the scID was 7.4 ± 10.3 m (P < 0.001). The mean IED identification accuracy was 46.7 and 11.4% for cc and sc, respectively (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe preliminary results reflect VIPER’s ability to assess functional visual performance when detecting and identifying signs and IEDs. Furthermore, VIPER is able to detect performance changes with and without correction.

Chapter 1 - New age of warfare: How digital forensics is reshaping today's military

Improvements in the technologies available to aviation security at the checkpoint are essential for efficient and effective operations. X-ray systems in airports are designed to display images of baggage and contents, including guns, knives, other weapons, and explosives. X-ray systems have various functions to enhance the image displayed to maximize the screeners' ability to determine if carry-on bags contain potential threats. The growing sophistication of terrorists has led to the ability to conceal improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in everyday objects. The use of X-ray image enhancement aids may help screeners detect small and artfully concealed threats giving them the best image first. The purpose of this project was to determine if any of the X-ray functions (i.e., color, crystal clear, inverse, organic stripping, inorganic stripping, high density, low density, black and white) increase X-ray screeners' threat (i.e., IEDs, guns, knives, and other prohibited items) detection performance. An investigation to determine screener maximum performance when detecting artfully concealed IEDs was also of interest. A special set of threat bag images contained artfully concealed IEDs at full and sub-certification weights. This test evaluated experienced X-ray screeners' threat detection of threats in X-ray images. Eighty-four screeners were tested on Rapiscan Security Products X-ray emulators at three airport sites (28 screeners per site). All screeners were required to participate in the assessment of two sets of X-ray images (400 images with color only and 400 images with other X-ray functions). Each set of bag images contained 72 threat bags and 328 innocent bags. The threat images contained: guns, knives, or prohibited items, or IEDs at full and sub-certification weights (i.e., 1/4 , 1/2 and 3/4 ). The screeners were required to decide if an X-ray image was innocent or if the image contained a threat.

: This report describes preliminary results from the BANGEX 5 field exercise which occurred at the China Lake Test Range JCIF facility 3 - 5 June, 2008. The goal of this research is to improve our forces ability to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from aircraft. Considerable progress has been made toward this goal as a result of this exercise. A variety of sacrifice environmental measurements were performed to characterize the conditions associated with IEDs and the accompanying changes to the local soil conditions. These were complimented by operational aircraft imaging measurements (movies) of various simulated IED and non-IED targets. These measurements will be used to improve the physics used in IED detection numerical models. Although analysis of these data are just beginning, the authors and collaborators have already verified that IED locations can be detected from high-flying aircraft sensors by the thermal and visible signatures of disturbed soil and other changes in the local environment. The measurements described here will form the basis of the follow-up studies that will be presented in future reports and in the thesis of Capt. Bieger.

In the prevailing world, among the many tools of terrorists, explosives are the most potent and popular. Technological developments and the easy availability of information exhibit rapid transformation from the dependence on conventional explosive devices to the designing of improvised chemical devices. The security forces and the law enforcement agencies find it difficult to counter the Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) menace without a complete and detailed knowledge about their characteristics and potential. Hence, in this review paper, the author have made sincere efforts to review the work reported by the energetic materials community in the area of improvised energetic materials and the technologies involved in their detection methodologies which are appropriate to defeat the menace. This paper also discusses the common chemicals and precursor chemicals reported in literature and their use in the improvised explosive devices. Keywords : Improvised energetic materials (IEMs), Ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO), Triacetone triperoxide (TATP), Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN)

Moderatorsʼ Summary: Wound Management (Session II)

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have recently become a considerable national security concern for governments due to their increased use. Since IEDs do not have a particular shape, detecting and classifying IEDs becomes a complex problem. Due to the irregularity of the wire shape, recent research focuses on detecting command wire, which is the triggering mechanism in IEDs. This study proposes a detection and clustering algorithm for wire detection. The synthetic data were generated using the gprMax software, an open-source Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulation environment. Different wire and clutter orientations were simulated while creating a 2D GPR database. Three different prescreening algorithms are compared concerning computational time and signal-to-noise ratio. The Go Decomposition (GoDec) method was used at the preprocessing stage. Discriminating the buried wire from clutter was conducted using the k-means clustering method. The proposed algorithm results show promising outcomes over simulated GPR 2D C-scans.