View source for Chemistry:Remote Air Sampling for Canine Olfaction


'''Remote Air Sampling for Canine Olfaction''' or '''RASCO''' (sometimes '''RASCargO''' or -in the UK- '''REST''' (Remote Explosives Scent Tracing)<ref>[http://www.ictseurope.com/services/cargo-screening/rascargo RASCargO] ''www.ictseurope.com'', accessed 8 March 2021</ref> is a technology for transport security.

==Function==
The system allows explosives to be detected in the context of transport facilities, specifically within any closed volume being transported, typically transport containers.<ref name=IEEE/>

==Summary of technique==
Samples of air from within a container are remotely collected and presented to a suitably trained 'sniffer dog', which will provide an alert if it senses the presence of target material, e.g. explosives.<ref name=IEEE/>

==History==
The approach was developed by the Transport Security Division of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (TRANSEC) for the UK government in the late 1990s.<ref name=IEEE>[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/962819 Remote Air Sampling for Canine Olfaction] Published in: Proceedings IEEE 35th Annual 2001 International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology, accessed 8 March 2021 DOI: 10.1109/CCST.2001.962819</ref> The company 'Kent K9 Detection Services' offers a RASCO system,<ref>[http://www.kentk9.co.uk/introduction.htm Kent K9 Detection Services Remote Air Sampling for Canine Olfaction] ''www.kentk9.co.uk'', accessed 9 March 2021</ref> and an evolved version is fielded by Chilport for remote air sampling, known as VODS and described as 'an approved variant of the RASCO System'.<ref>[https://www.chilport.co.uk/remote-air-sampling/ Remote Air Sampling] ''www.chilport.co.uk'', accessed 9 March 2021</ref> Towards assessing best practice, the US Coastguard reviewed the system and wrote a brief summary report in 2006.<ref>[https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/InternationalPortSecurity/Guards%20and%20Police/BP16-GP,%20Remote%20Air%20Sampling%20for%20Canine%20Olfaction.pdf?ver=2017-05-22-142337-073 Best Practice:  Remote Air Sampling for Canine Olfaction] May 2006 ''www.dco.uscg.mil'', accessed 9 March 2021</ref> DHL mentions its use,<ref>[https://send.dhlparcel.co.uk/resources/what-happens-when-your-parcel-takes-to-the-skies The journey of an International parcel See 'Clearing customs'] ''send.dhlparcel.co.uk'', accessed 9 March 2021</ref> and in 'Air Cargo World' it is described as a specifically UK and European approach to security.<ref>Brandon Fried [https://aircargoworld.com/news/every-dog-has-its-day-9869/ Every dog has its day] 24 June 2014 ''aircargoworld.com'', accessed 9 March 2021</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
* ''Vapour and Trace Detection of Explosives for Anti-Terrorism Purposes'': Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop, held in Moscow, Russia, 19-20 March 2003: 167 (Nato Science Series II:) Paperback – 27 May 2008 (M. Krausa) page 148 {{ISBN|978-1402027154}}

==External links==
* [https://www.diag-nose.com/sectors/rascargo/ DiagNose 'RASCargO']

[[Category:Olfaction]]



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