Explosives Trace Detection and Alarm Resolution Flashcards

An ETD alarm cannot be resolved through standard procedures. What is the appropriate escalation?

Answer: Notify the supervisor, who follows procedures that may include law enforcement

Unresolved alarms are escalated to a supervisor, who may bring in law enforcement or other specialized resources according to procedure.

Why is ETD often used alongside X-ray and other screening technologies?

Answer: It detects chemical traces that imaging technology may not reveal

ETD finds microscopic chemical residue, which complements imaging systems that detect shapes and densities.

Before swabbing a passenger's hands with ETD, what should the officer do?

Answer: Explain the procedure to the passenger

Explaining the procedure first gets the passenger's cooperation and supports professional, respectful screening.

A passenger refuses to let an alarmed item be resolved. What is the usual outcome?

Answer: The item or passenger can't continue into the sterile area

Screening must be completed before access to the sterile area, so refusing alarm resolution means the passenger or item can't proceed.

Why should an officer avoid touching the sampling area of an ETD swab with bare skin?

Answer: Skin contact can contaminate the swab and skew results

Handling the sampling surface can transfer residue or oils that affect detection accuracy.

An ETD unit alarms several times in a row on unrelated passengers. What should the officer suspect first?

Answer: Possible contamination of the unit or work area

Repeated alarms on unrelated passengers can point to contamination, which should be addressed according to procedure while each alarm is still resolved properly.

What is the purpose of documenting an ETD alarm and how it was resolved?

Answer: To keep an accurate record for accountability and follow-up

Documentation creates a clear record that supports accountability, quality control, and any later investigation.