DHS Science and Technology Explosives Division

The Explosives Division of Homeland Security Science and Technology is a division of the United States Department of Homeland Security. It is responsible for the development of technologies needed to detect, interdict, and lessen the "develops the technical capabilities to detect, interdict, and lessen the effect of non-nuclear explosives used by terrorists against mass transit, civil aviation, and critical infrastructure.

The division is currently led by Jim Tuttle. It is supervised by the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Science and Technology, who is currently Jay M. Cohen.

The 2007 High Priority Technical Needs Brochure published by Homeland Security defines critical focus areas for explosives research:

• Standoff detection on persons (portable solutions)
• System solution for detection in baggage (checked & carried)
• Capability to detect VBIED (very big improvised explosive devices) / large threat mass (container, trailer, ship, vessel, car, rail)
• Capability to detect homemade or novel explosives
• Capability to assess, render safe, and neutralize explosive threats
• Optimize canine explosive detection capability

References

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