New Machine Can Detect Drugs Like Dogs

AP ^ | 11-20-03

[steppenwolffe]

ATLANTA - A new invention can sniff like a dog, find drugs like a dog and help police catch criminals like a dog. But can the so-called "Dog on a Chip" replace the police officer's best friend?

Georgia Tech researchers have developed a machine that can instantly sniff out cocaine and other illegal drugs without the hassle of feeding, training and interpreting a police dog.

"This works the same way as the dogs," said Bill Hunt, the electrical engineering professor heading the project. "They're picking up on the vapors coming off the cocaine."

From a few feet away, the device can "smell" microscopic amounts of a particular substance - as little as one-trillionth of a gram. So far it's only programmed to detect cocaine. But Hunt says it could be developed to sniff out other drugs, anthrax, bombs, chemical agents and even cancerous cells.

The machine is a rectangular plastic box slightly smaller than a phone book attached to a cube with a chip inside it that detects substances. Two antenna-like tubes protrude from the cube - one sucks in air, the other spits it out.

Electronic nose technologies have been around since the 1980s, but none has been as sensitive as a dog's nose. And of course, chips lack a certain animated quality.

"Dogs are more fun," said Dan Gordon, a private investigator and owner of Homeland Security Dogs in Palm Springs, Calif. "You can throw a Frisbee with them."

[dirtydanusa]

I'll put my Black Lab's nose up against any high tech sniffer, you will lose!!!

[Cindy]

I like new technology, but there's nothing like a good, well-trained German Shepherd.

[Dan Evans]

I watched this TV show "Mythbusters" where they do scientific tests to check out urban legends. Last week they tested the myth that eating poppy-seed pastery can trigger a false positive on drug tests. Turns out it wasn't a myth. The test is so sensitive that eating two poppy-seed bagels can get you tagged as an opiate user. Too bad if you lose your job.

[Lurker]

Dogs are drugs? Man, am I in trouble.

Oh well. I guess I'll just have to go back to smoking pot.

L

[Michael Barnes]

Oh well. I guess I'll just have to go back to smoking pot.

Lucky for your dog... =)

[Lurker]

Yea, dogs are darned hard to keep lit no matter how tight you roll them.

L

[Oztrich Boy]

New Machine Can Detect Drugs Like Dogs

But which drugs are like dogs?

[battlegearboat]

"The machine is a rectangular plastic box slightly smaller than a phone book attached to a cube with a chip inside it that detects substances. Two antenna-like tubes protrude from the cube - one sucks in air, the other spits it out."

So does the machine sit down and point out where the drugs are?

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[Constitution Day]

I saw that too. Pretty amazing!

[Wright is right!]

"I like new technology, but there's nothing like a good, well-trained German Shepherd."

Or Belgian Malinois. Or any of several breeds that are easily trainable for detection purposes. Watch Animal Planet on Saturday/Sunday mornings for some enjoyable and educatioinal TV. There's Breed All About It from 9-10am Eastern (two 30-minute shows) and K-9-to-Five from 10-11a Eastern. You'll seen plenty of dogs and the jobs they do, many of which are law-enforcement types.

Machines are fine, whatever, But the dog is an officer's PARTNER.

Michael

[CWOJackson]

A dog also has the advantage of being equipped with a doper retention device. Properly applied to a suitable appendage it can get the criminal's attention and hold it...firmly.

[Wright is right!]

"A dog also has the advantage of being equipped with a doper retention device. Properly applied to a suitable appendage it can get the criminal's attention and hold it...firmly."

So true. These dogs are marvelously equipped to do exactly what you want them to do. They are completely loyal, impervious to politics, their weapons never jam, they're never distracted by threats (real or imagined), and they don't join unions nor go on strike. And they never leak information to reporters.

What more could you ask?

Michael

[js1138]

I like new technology, but there's nothing like a good, well-trained German Shepherd.

Except possibly a cheap device that can be mass produced in sufficient quantity, capable of sniffing out hundreds of explosive compounds, working 24 hours a day at every airport and checkpoint.

[philman_36]

Coming soon to locations all around you...