Combating nuclear smuggling : DHS improved testing of advanced radiation detection portal monitors, but preliminary results show limits of the new technology : report to congressional requesters.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

United States. Government Accountability Office

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Department of Homeland Security. Domestic Nuclear Detection Office--Rules and practice.

United States.

United States. Department of Homeland Security. Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.

Radioactive substances--Detection--Equipment and supplies--Testing.

Radioactive substances.

Smuggling--United States--Prevention.

Smuggling.

Nuclear terrorism--United States--Prevention.

Nuclear terrorism.

Nuclear counters--Testing.

Nuclear counters.

Radiation warning systems.

Nuclear terrorism--Prevention.

Smuggling--Prevention.

Genre:

Rules and practice.

Rules.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ii, 28 pages) : illustrations

Other Title:

DHS improved testing of advanced radiation detection portal monitors, but preliminary results show limits of the new technology

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2009]

Summary:

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) is testing new advanced spectroscopic portal (ASP) radiation detection monitors. DNDO expects ASPs to reduce both the risk of missed threats and the rate of innocent alarms, which DNDO considers to be key limitations of radiation detection equipment currently used by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at U.S. ports of entry. Congress has required that the Secretary of DHS certify that ASPs provide a significant increase in operational effectiveness before obligating funds for full-scale procurement. GAO was asked to review (1) the degree to which DHS's criteria for a significant increase in operational effectiveness address the limitations of existing radiation detection equipment, (2) the rigor of ASP testing and preliminary test results, and (3) the ASP test schedule. GAO reviewed the DHS criteria, analyzed test plans, and interviewed DHS officials. GAO recommends that DHS assess ASPs against the full potential of current equipment and revise the program schedule to allow time to conduct computer simulations of ASPs' capabilities and to uncover and resolve problems with ASPs before full-scale deployment.

Notes:

Title from title screen (GAO, viewed June 26, 2009).

"May 2009."

Includes bibliographical references.

"GAO-09-655."

OCLC:

416841440