An incontinence detection system includes an incontinence detection pad for placement beneath a person to be monitored. The incontinence detection pad has a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. A reader is provided and a plurality of antennae is coupled to the reader. The reader includes a bistatic radio frequency (RF) switch matrix which is operable to establish a first antenna of the plurality of antennae as a transmit antenna that is used to wirelessly energize the passive RFID tag and to establish a second antennae of the plurality of antennae as a receive antenna that is used to read backscattered data that may be emitted from the passive RFID tag. The first and second antennae are situated in respective housings that are spaced apart from each other. An arrangement of first and second electrodes on an electrical sheet of an incontinence pad is also provided.