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Recent events have led to dramatic changes to the methods employed in security screening. For example, following the failed shoe bombing, it is now common for shoes to be removed and X-rayed at airport checkpoints. There is therefore an increasing focus on new technologies that can be applied to security screening, either to simplify or speed up the checking process, or to provide additional functionality. Terahertz (THz) technology is a promising, emerging candidate. In previous publications we have shown how our THz pulsed imaging systems can be used to image threat items, and have demonstrated that explosive materials have characteristic THz spectra.1 We have also demonstrated that nonmetallic weaponry can be imaged when concealed beneath clothing. In this work we examine more closely the properties of barrier and potential confusion materials. We demonstrate that barrier materials have smooth spectra with relatively low attenuation. We further demonstrate that the terahertz spectra of several common chemicals and medicines are distinct from those of threat materials.

The present study investigated the efficacy of four EMDR sessions in comparison to a six week wait-list control condition in the treatment of 27 children (aged 6 to 12 years) suffering from persistent PTSD symptoms after a motor vehicle accident. An effect for EMDR was identified on primary outcome and process measures including the Child Post Traumatic Stress -Reaction Index, clinician rated diagnostic criteria for PTSD, SubjectiveUnits of Disturbance and Validity of Cognition scales. All participants initially met two or more PTSD criteria. After EMDR treatment, this decreased to 25% in the EMDR group but remained at 100% in the wait-list group. Parent ratings of their child's PTSD symptoms showed no improvement, nor did a range of non-trauma child self-report and parent-reported symptoms. Treatment gains were maintained at three and 12 month follow up. These findings support the use of EMDR for treating symptoms of PTSD in children, although further replication and comparison studies are required.3

A prototype terahertz standoff detection system is shown to be able to sense explosives at a distance of one meter, through several layers of clothing, employing safe-to-use non-ionizing radiation.ABSTRACT | Terahertz imaging and spectroscopy has been shown to have the potential to use very low levels of nonionizing radiation to detect and identify objects hidden under clothing. In this paper we discuss some of the important factors involved in addressing practical systems in the security industry, and describe our recent work on the development of a prototype terahertz standoff detection system. Using this system we demonstrate the spectroscopic detection of concealed explosives at a standoff distance of 1 m, both real time, in reflection, and under normal atmospheric conditions.