“…The two main ionising radiation systems described were x-ray radiography (including single view, dual angle and backscatter variations) and computed tomography (CT), meanwhile gamma radiation or passive radiation detection may be employed in specific circumstances to identify the elemental composition of materials. In addition, there were five different AI programs described to enhance digital imaging processing techniques, including automatic image recognition to assist in the identification of weapons, explosives and other dangerous goods for x-ray images of luggage or cargo [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. AI has been described as a powerful addition to these systems for enhanced efficiency and adaptability to other types of contraband.…”
The illegal movement of wildlife poses a public health, conservation and biosecurity threat, however there are currently minimal screening tools available at international ports of entry to intercept wildlife trafficking efforts. This review first aimed to explore the screening tools available or under development for the detection of concealed wildlife contraband at international ports, including postal services, airlines, road border crossings and maritime routes. Where evidence was deficient, publications detailing the use of methods to uncover other illicit substances, such as narcotics, weapons, human trafficking, explosives, radioactive materials, or special nuclear material, were compiled and assessed for their applicability to the detection of wildlife. The first search identified only four citations related to the detection of wildlife, however the secondary search revealed 145 publications, including 59 journal articles and 86 conference proceedings, describing screening tools for non-wildlife illicit contraband detection. The screening tools uncovered were analysed for potential fitness for purpose for wildlife contraband detection, to evaluate the feasibility of their implementation and their ease of use. The deficiencies evident in terms of resource availability and research efforts targeting wildlife trafficking highlights a potentially substantial national and international security threat which must be addressed.
“…The two main ionising radiation systems described were x-ray radiography (including single view, dual angle and backscatter variations) and computed tomography (CT), meanwhile gamma radiation or passive radiation detection may be employed in specific circumstances to identify the elemental composition of materials. In addition, there were five different AI programs described to enhance digital imaging processing techniques, including automatic image recognition to assist in the identification of weapons, explosives and other dangerous goods for x-ray images of luggage or cargo [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. AI has been described as a powerful addition to these systems for enhanced efficiency and adaptability to other types of contraband.…”
The illegal movement of wildlife poses a public health, conservation and biosecurity threat, however there are currently minimal screening tools available at international ports of entry to intercept wildlife trafficking efforts. This review first aimed to explore the screening tools available or under development for the detection of concealed wildlife contraband at international ports, including postal services, airlines, road border crossings and maritime routes. Where evidence was deficient, publications detailing the use of methods to uncover other illicit substances, such as narcotics, weapons, human trafficking, explosives, radioactive materials, or special nuclear material, were compiled and assessed for their applicability to the detection of wildlife. The first search identified only four citations related to the detection of wildlife, however the secondary search revealed 145 publications, including 59 journal articles and 86 conference proceedings, describing screening tools for non-wildlife illicit contraband detection. The screening tools uncovered were analysed for potential fitness for purpose for wildlife contraband detection, to evaluate the feasibility of their implementation and their ease of use. The deficiencies evident in terms of resource availability and research efforts targeting wildlife trafficking highlights a potentially substantial national and international security threat which must be addressed.
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