Abstract:
A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of vapor-producing substances such as explosives contained within an item of baggage, in which the item of baggage is enclosed in a chamber and the air pressure in the chamber is varied cyclically in order to mix at least a portion of the air in the item of baggage with that in the chamber. A vapor detector is then used to detect the presence in the chamber air of vapors given off by an explosive substance or drug (e.g., cannabis) contained within the item of baggage.