Document Title: Evaluability Assessment of Trace Detection Technology

Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) recommends that applicants consider evaluating this technology along cost effectiveness lines, whether the application is sited in Pima County or some other system. While Pima County uses their technology in a mail room, other systems might use the technology to screen visitor possessions or suspicious parcels found in facilities. Applicants are encouraged to consider such outcome variables as numbers of items detected, persons prosecuted, and inmates sanctioned. On the cost side, evaluations should consider all possible costs including startup, training, and maintenance. Applicants may also want to consider that an effective detection technology may drive traffickers of contraband to explore other avenues of penetration, so that measurement of outcomes needs to account for possible displacement effects. Technology Summary: In recent years, several systems have become available for the detection of trace amounts of drugs and explosives. This report discusses the range of technologies and focuses specifically on the use of ion mobility spectrometry for detecting illegal drugs. In this process, a swab is taken from the area in question. Inside a scanner, the sample is heated until particles of the substance are vaporized. These vaporized ions are then analyzed and compared against a library of potential narcotics and other substances, and any positive matches are identified. Scope of Evaluation: Illegal drugs can be transported into jails and prisons by visitors and incoming inmates, by corrupt guards and other officials, and through the mail. Pima County officials felt that corruption was absent among Pima County guards and that visitors could not transport drugs because the jail does not permit personal contact. Jail officials used trace detection technology to periodically check inmates returning from community release and to routinely examine incoming mail. An evaluation would examine (1) the effectiveness of trace detection technology at intercepting illegal drugs coming in through the mail, (2) the consequence that successful detection has for drug use in the jail, and (3) the effect that reducing drug use has on day-today jail operations. These three questions are progressively more difficult to answer. Summary of Evaluability Assessment Activity: During the evaluability assessment, Abt Associates, Inc., conducted a thorough search of manufacturer reports and field uses of trace detection technologies in the United States. We also interviewed individuals from …