TRAIN YOUR CHECKPOINT STAFF USING SAFE, REAL-WORLD TRACE EXPLOSIVES
TRAINING FRUSTRATIONS
If you’re like me, you’ve been frustrated at times at how hard it is to find real-world training simulants in your explosive trace detection (ETD) training classroom.?Obviously, there are many barriers against having “the real thing” in a classroom environment.?Security, legality, and safety are just some of the issues that force ETD trainers to use some type of secondary standard, such as calibration and verification traps, as their “go-to” for generating a training alarm.
Those days are over.
DSA Detection has developed the Trace Quality Control (TQC) Kit to help trainers and Red Teams overcome the lack of realistic samples and training aids by utilizing real explosive materials.?Using trace amounts of explosives helps eliminate the hazards and restrictions that come with the use of bulk materials.
WHAT’S IN THE TQC KIT?
The Trace Quality Control (TQC) Kit contains three unique samples of clay-like material.?Inside this material is a small amount of explosive trace (one container each for RDX, PETN, and TNT). These substances are easily detectable by current ETDs. This makes the TQC Kit a “multi-detector” training aid.?No matter what explosive detector you use, the kit will do the job.?Even on legacy detectors!?The TQC Kit is also safe to ship, carries no handling restrictions, and is non-flammable.
USING THE TQC FOR TRAINING
Having a TQC Kit is a trainer’s dream!?When teaching trainees how to take proper samples, two critical fundamentals are:
-???????Proper target areas
-???????Good, firm pressure when sampling
With the TQC Kit, trainers can now target specific areas of emphasis on the items you want the trainee to sample.?And, for the first time, you now have a tool to teach proper sampling pressure when sampling those items.?
For target areas, the trainer will apply a small amount of the chosen TQC substance on the item in a specific area that needs reinforcement (such as luggage or door handles, interior linings of bags, etc.)?The trainer is only limited by their imagination with the TQC Kit.?The substances are undetectable with the naked eye.?This provides a challenge to the trainee, knowing that the only way to capture the invisible substance is by searching the fundamental target areas.
For teaching good, firm pressure, you can tell the trainee where the TQC substance is (or not).?Using the proper amount of pressure will transfer the substance onto the sampling medium and generate the expected alarm.?With the TQC Kit, the trainer has a true and much more realistic way to demonstrate good pressure without having to rely on other less-reliable visual analogies.
TRAINING REINFORCEMENT
During training, the trainer will always have the option of showing the trainee where the substance is located on the target item.?An ultraviolet dye has been added to the RDX and PETN containers. This allows the trainer to fluoresce the target area (with the included flashlight), showing exactly where the substance is located.?This feature is ideal for reinforcing the fundamental target area(s), providing a training visual that was previously difficult to attain in a live environment.
EASY CLEANUP
So what happens to the substance once it’s applied??Easy.?After training, simply wipe off the substance with isopropyl alcohol (70% or greater) or use the alcohol pads that are included in the kit.?Nitrile gloves are also provided for applying and removing the substance during training.
BENEFITS OF THE TQC KIT
Let’s summarize the advantages of using the TQC Kit for your checkpoint security program:
·??????Provides a way to demonstrate fundamental target areas on objects of interest
·??????Helps promote good, firm pressure using any sampling medium
·??????Reinforces training fundamentals as key areas of interest on an object are fluoresced
·??????Easy post-training cleanup using inexpensive isopropyl alcohol
·??????No shipping or travel hazards
·??????Non-flammable
·??????Small, portable, easy to transport plastic case
·??????Will work with any explosive trace detector
For more information on the DSA Detection TQC Kit, click here.
And why not download our Threat Products Catalog while you're at it!
Russ Horseman is Director of Trace Technologies for DSA Detection.