Methods to Identify Unknown Cargo:
1. Visual Inspection:
- Examine the exterior and interior of the container or vehicle.
- Look for visible markings, labels, or documentation.
- Observe any unusual odors, stains, or anomalies.
2. Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII):
- Use X-ray or gamma ray scanners to penetrate the cargo and create an image.
- Detect dense materials, liquids, or other suspicious items.
- Identify organic or inorganic substances through material discrimination.
3. Canine Inspection:
- Utilize trained dogs to sniff out and alert to specific substances or odors.
- Can detect explosives, narcotics, currency, and other contraband items.
4. Radiation Detection:
- Use radiation detectors to identify radioactive materials.
- Protect against unauthorized nuclear trafficking and prevent radiological accidents.
5. Chemical Analysis:
- Collect samples and analyze them using spectroscopy, chromatography, or other techniques.
- Identify chemical compounds and determine the nature of the cargo.
- Detect hazardous substances, poisons, or toxic materials.
6. Documentation Verification:
- Examine shipping documents, manifests, and invoices.
- Verify the accuracy of information, such as declared contents, sender, and recipient.
- Detect discrepancies or inconsistencies that may indicate unknown cargo.
7. Advanced Imaging Techniques:
- Use computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create detailed cross-sectional images.
- Identify hidden compartments, concealed items, or anomalies within the cargo.
8. Digital Forensics:
- Analyze digital devices, such as laptops or phones, associated with the shipment.
- Recover deleted files, communications, and other information that may provide clues about the unknown cargo.
9. Intelligence Gathering:
- Consult with law enforcement, customs agencies, and other sources of intelligence.
- Obtain information about potential smuggling routes, traffickers, and known methods of concealing unknown cargo.