and decision; hence, any feasible standoff detection methodology must collect and interpret data as well as provide recommendations to operators in time to allow an appropriate response to an impending threat.

This report emphasizes the need to integrate basic science (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics) with systems thinking and decision making. Chapter 2 lays out the basic principles for viable standoff detection. A framework for developing detection systems, which identifies a decision process based on disparate data inputs, is described in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 summarizes the chemical characteristics of known explosive devices that could be exploited in a detection scheme, while Chapter 5 describes detection methods currently used or under development. In Chapter 6, the potential of exploiting biological markers associated with bomb makers and bombers is discussed. Examples of ideas for detection that have not been fully exploited to date are presented in Chapter 7. Recommendations for further research in specific areas can be found in the various chapters. The purpose of this report is to identify potentially useful research areas deserving more attention to advance the state of the art, rather than proposing best methods or specific solutions. The appendixes include the committee’s statement of task, a glossary of terms used in the report, and a brief summary of the open session presentations to the committee.