28/06/2021 Automatic detection of narcotics | Smiths Detection

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28/06/2021 Automatic detection of narcotics | Smiths Detection

The war against illegal drugs is being fought across the globe
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by many organisations including customs, border control
agencies, prison authorities and more recently courier
services. Traffickers are exploiting the rapid growth in e- Sign Up
commerce by shipping narcotics via freight forwarding and
mail delivery companies, hoping the illicit packages will be
hidden in the sheer quantity of items moving around the
world.
Automatic narcotics detection using X-ray scanners could
certainly be a very effective weapon. However, the security
screening industry generally agrees that there are some
unique challenges to overcome for conventional X-ray and
Computed Tomography (CT) to deliver the same exceptional
performance we now expect from explosives detection or
object recognition systems.
So why is detecting narcotics so different to detecting
explosives or other dangerous items and how can it be
successfully addressed?
Two algorithmic approaches

There are two ways to approach automatic detection using

algorithms – object recognition and material discrimination.
Which technique offers the greatest benefits depends largely
on the items to be detected.
Object recognition (sometimes referred to as visual detection)
relies on machine learning to support the development of
algorithms which imitate the way the human brain processes
data to identify patterns used in decision-making. Thousands
of X-ray images are fed to the algorithm so it can learn to
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28/06/2021 Automatic detection of narcotics | Smiths Detection

identify patterns in the shape and texture of objects. Material

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is also taken into consideration, but only at a high level by
focusing on the colour and its intensity as represented in the
X-ray image: blue indicating metal and orange organic
material, for example.
There are several smart, adaptable, deep learning algorithms
in common use – with more under development – for the
automatic detection of dangerous, prohibited, and contraband
goods. They achieve very high detection and very low false
alarm rates for weapons and lithium batteries and provide
invaluable support for security operators, customs officers,
and other control authorities.
Algorithms can be taught to recognise anything with clearly
identifiable characteristics, but object recognition is less
useful for detecting substances which are inconsistent in
shape or form. When items need to be detected by material
discrimination rather than shape, conventional image
processing segments and classifies them based on X-ray
absorption characteristics – automatic explosives detection is
an excellent example of this approach.
A compound problem…

Narcotics detection is more complex because neither

algorithmic approach is a perfect fit.
Object recognition can be used to find pills and blister packs
but the optical signature is very similar to benign tablets,
leading to inevitable false alarms. Without a recognisable
shape to ‘learn’ (e.g. powder or liquids), it is more difficult for
these algorithms to detect drugs.
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28/06/2021 Automatic detection of narcotics | Smiths Detection

Narcotics coming direct from producers and relatively pure in

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composition can, however, be identified by material
discrimination based on physical characteristics, density, or
effective atomic number (Zeff) with a high degree of
probability.
Drugs such as fentanyl, heroin and cocaine are however often
cut with other substances to either stretch the product to
increase profits or generate a different effect on the user. As
this changes the physical characteristics, it is more difficult
with material discrimination to detect smaller quantities
which have already been cut and are destined for the street
market. In these scenarios an algorithm can be trained to
detect individual combinations coming from a specific source
which uses the same cutting substance, however if the
compound constantly varies, detection becomes more
challenging.
…Needs a compound solution

Currently, the most effective option is to deploy an optimal

combination of both object recognition and material
discrimination depending on individual circumstances.
Narcotics are a huge problem around the world and every
gram detected is a success – this is a very different use case
to explosives detection.
In addition, close cooperation with authorities and recording
large numbers of images of substances to train the
algorithms will support the development of increasingly
effective solutions.
Going forward

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28/06/2021 Automatic detection of narcotics | Smiths Detection

Although object recognition and material discrimination can

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be used successfully together, it is likely that, in the longer
term, a different technology will be applied: X-ray diffraction
is known to provide highly accurate information about the
physical composition of any material and would be best suited
for narcotics detection. A system-of-systems concept,
deploying X-ray or CT screening with diffraction used for
secondary checks, could be a far superior solution when
diffraction systems become available.

View LinkedIn profile

Harald Jentsch
Head of Hold Baggage & Air Cargo Screening Solutions
Harald Jentsch is a certified electrical engineer in
measurement/control technology. He joined Smiths
Detection in 2001, serving in various training and product management
roles, leading the development of products and their launch into the global
market. From 2010 to 2016 Harald led sales activities for hold baggage and
conventional X-ray systems.In October 2016, Harald became head of hold
baggage solutions, a strategic role to help guide Smiths Detection's product
portfolio in accordance with regulator and market requirements. Since
November 2018, Harald additionally covers the position of head of air cargo
solutions.

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28/06/2021 Automatic detection of narcotics | Smiths Detection

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