Despite significant research investments into the detection of explosives and other contraband, including drugs, there has only been incremental progress over the past ten years. Key age old problems of signals, sampling and clutter/interference have continued to persist and present a real challenge across the detection community in both trace and bulk detection technologies alike.

Sampling is considered to be the underpinning technique for identification and subsequent detection of illicit substances. Without effective sampling, the target analytes cannot be transmitted to the detector, and the detection technique is rendered effectively obsolete. Are we using the correct substrates for sampling particulates, aerosols and vapours? Are we employing the optimum sampling methodology with respect to the sensor in use?

What exactly are we trying to detect? Is it the target analyte itself, a pattern of signals/signatures, or an anomaly against a complex background of similar signatures? Are we trying to detect several target substances? Are we interested in producing an image or a spectrum? Are we using the right spectroscopic technique and in the correct frequency range? Are we observing the correct photon/matter interactions e.g. transmission, absorption or reflection? Does it matter if the spectroscopic technique used is active or passive? Is selectivity, sensitivity or both the most important factor(s) for assisting with detection of key signatures and patterns?

How do we determine which signal to look at against a complicated and cluttered background? Can we remove the clutter by statistical algorithms to enhance the resolution of an image or quality of a spectrum? How do we know when to disregard the noise? Does image quality using a spectroscopic technique deteriorate with distance from target? Is stand-off detection feasible? Is clutter/interference of greater concern in bulk detection or trace detection?

We recognise that these challenges may not necessarily be unique to illicit substance detection, they may well be encountered routinely in other scientific disciplines e.g. medical, pharmaceutical, environmental, and materials science to name but a few. We would like to learn from the wider scientific community how they may have overcome these obstinate problem areas.

We aim to engage with policy makers and government, so that the requirements can be better understood, and to engage with academia, small businesses and industry to identify the main constraints in conversion of concept laboratory based technologies into operational field robust equipment.

This conference will present cutting edge, previously unpublished, innovative research in these and other key areas, including standards, biological based detection, new materials, novel sources and detectors. We encourage international participation from a variety of scientific backgrounds, to share their views and ideas, in order to provide a unique forum for debate, discussion and to really drive progress in illicit substance detection.