Questions About Sniffex, ADE651, GT200, H3 Tec, HEDD1, AL-6D and Other Explosive Detectors

Why Is Gary Bolton Walking Free?

2011-08-11T05:45:00.001-07:00

Techowiz has posted some photos of Gary Bolton walking free after peddling his GT200 scam devices which have cost lives and freedom. The use of these things in places like Iraq and now Mexico is getting police and innocent people killed. On top of that, police have used "searches" with GT200 devices to arrest people. Why is the indication by a worthless dowsing rod used as evidence? Why no arrest?

See all the photos at the Explosive Detector Frauds blog aka "The ADE651 GT200 Alpha6 H3Tec HEDD1 AL-6D all a Danger to Life " blog.

While Techowiz shows us how Bolton is living, I will remind you of police killed in Thailand because the GT200 the police were using said no explosives were present. Does this innocent bystander seem as happy as Gary Bolton?

Click here for more photos and the whole story from 2009.

Why Can Britain Warn GT200 Is A Scam But Not Arrest Bolton?

2011-08-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

This warning was from more than one year ago! And yet Bolton is still free.

Mexico Is Warned on Drug Detector

By MARC LACEY

Published: March 15, 2010

MEXICO CITY—The British government has notified Mexico that a handheld device widely used by the Mexican military and police to search for drugs and explosives may be ineffective, British officials said.

Mexico’s National Defense Secretariat has spent more than $10 million to purchase hundreds of the detectors, similar to the “magic wands” in use in Iraq and Afghanistan, for its antidrug fight. Although critics have called them nothing more than divining rods, Mexican defense officials praise the devices as a critical part of their efforts to combat drug traffickers. At the military’s National Drug Museum, one of the devices is on display, with a plaque that describes its success in finding hidden caches of drugs.

Mexican military officials say the black plastic wands, known as the GT 200 and manufactured by the British company Global Technical Ltd., are widely used nationwide at checkpoints to search for contraband inside vehicles as well as to canvass neighborhoods in drug hotspots for drug and weapons stash houses.

As of April 20, 2009, the army had purchased 521 of the GT 200 detectors for just over $20,000 apiece, for a total cost of more than $10 million, according to Mexican government documents. Police agencies across Mexico have made additional purchases, records show.

“We’ve had success with it,” Capt. Jesús Héctor Larios Salazar, an officer with the Mexican Army’s antidrug unit in Culiacán, said recently. “It works with molecules. It functions with the energy of the body.”

But the British government, which is considering legislation to stop exports of the device, notified Mexico and other countries around the world last month that it may not work. That followed reports in The New York Times and on BBC that a similar product used in Iraq and Afghanistan, the ADE 651 manufactured by ATSC Ltd., another British company, was considered ineffective.

“Exports to Mexico have already taken place, and the most urgent task was to warn the Mexican government and military, which we have done,” Katy Reid, a British diplomat in Mexico, said in a statement on Friday. “It is now up to the Mexican authorities to take whatever steps they think appropriate.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration in Washington said it did not use the handheld detectors. And the National Explosive Engineering Sciences Security Center at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, which does testing for the Defense Department, has not found such devices to be effective.

Mexican defense officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. E-mail messages and calls to Global Technical and to Segtec, the Mexican-based importer of the GT 200, were not returned.

Controversy over the GT 200 has played out in recent months in Thailand, where the army has said it will continue to use them even though testing by government scientists found them far less effective than specially trained dogs. “I respect the scientific tests, but at this stage there is no banning order by the government, so the army will continue to use it,” Gen. Anupong Paochinda, the Thai Army chief, told reporters.

Human Rights Watch issued a statement in February calling on the Thai government to stop arresting people based on evidence gathered using the GT 200, which it said “performs worse than a roll of the dice.”

Informed that Mexico was using the same unit, the human rights group said Friday: “It’s troubling that Mexico is using this ‘magic wand’ technology given the serious doubts that exist about its reliability. And if people are actually being arrested and charged solely on the basis of its readings, that would be outrageous.”

Promotional materials on the Internet describe the GT 200 as a high-tech unit that enables law enforcement agencies to search large areas quickly. Using special cards provided by the manufacturer, the detector can supposedly detect all types of narcotics and explosives by homing in on their molecules from afar.

The device is so sensitive, the manufacturer says, that it can detect not just stockpiles of illegal drugs but people who have used cocaine or heroin as far back as two weeks before.

After the critical reviews in Thailand, Global Technical released a statement on its Web site defending the detector. “We can say that previous tests carried out by independent bodies, and the experience of the large number of users of this product all over the world, confirms that the GT 200 is effective and because of this, we would ask that you treat with caution any reports to the contrary,” the company said.

In Culiacán, a city in Sinaloa State where Mexican drug traffickers have a strong presence, the military showed off the GT 200 in December. Canvassing a residential neighborhood, soldiers walked up and down the street with a GT 200 waiting for the antenna to point toward a suspicious residence. There were no discoveries.

But the soldier trained to operate the detector walked by one of the army’s armored vehicles and the antenna swung quickly toward the high-caliber machine gun sticking out the top. He took several steps back and walked by again. The antenna pointed again toward the gun.

“See?” he said.

But in November, at a checkpoint on the highway leading from Mexico City to Monterrey, the same device pointed at a Volkswagen containing a man, a woman and a child. Soldiers surrounded the vehicle and a search was conducted for illegal drugs. But all they found was a bottle of Tylenol — evidence, the soldier operating the device said, of how sensitive the GT 200 was.

A version of this article appeared in print on March 16, 2010, on page A4 of the New York edition.

What Is The History Of Dowsing Fraud?

2011-06-08T23:48:00.000-07:00

Our friend Peter has put together a comprehensive and consolidated view of the fraud trend of the past 20 years with dowsing devices sold with false claims of being able to find explosives, drugs, people, evidence and anything else.

http://ade651gt200scamfraud.blogspot.com/2011/03/inside-knowledge.html

Jim McCormick, How Was Jail Again For Selling The Fraudulent ADE651?

2011-02-10T13:32:00.000-08:00

Man bailed in bomb detectors probe

(UKPA) – 6 hours ago

A man arrested by detectives investigating the supply and sale of allegedly ineffective bomb detecting devices to Iraq and Afghanistan has been released on bail.

Avon and Somerset Police said the 54-year-old from Merseyside, who had been held on suspicion of fraud by misrepresentation yesterday, was bailed pending further inquiries.

A police spokesman said: "Police have confirmed that the 54-year-old man from Merseyside arrested in connection with an investigation into the supply and sale of bomb detecting devices has been released on police bail, pending further enquiries."

The development followed the arrest on January 5 last year of Jim McCormick, 54, from Somerset, who was questioned on suspicion of fraud by misrepresentation.

Mr McCormick is the director of Wincanton-based company ATSC.

On January 22 last year the Government banned the export of a machine marketed as a bomb detector to Iraq and Afghanistan after the allegations emerged.

The then Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) announced the ban on the ADE651, marketed by ATSC, after an investigation for BBC2's Newsnight challenged the scientific basis for the technology it uses.

Britain's embassy in Baghdad raised concerns over the hand-held device with the Iraqi government which is reported to have bought large numbers of ADE651s for use at security checkpoints.

In a statement, BIS said: "Tests have shown that the technology used in the ADE651 and similar devices is not suitable for bomb detection. As non-military technology it does not need an export licence, and we would not normally need to monitor its sale and use abroad. However, it is clearly of concern that it is being used as bomb detection equipment."

A second Somerset man, 42, was arrested in July on suspicion of fraud offences and released on bail.

Why Did UK Military Engineers Sell The Scam GT200?

2011-01-28T02:09:00.000-08:00

UK government promoted useless 'bomb detectors'

By Meirion Jones and Caroline Hawley
BBC Newsnight

The government has admitted that the Army and UK civil servants helped market so-called "bomb detectors", which did not work, around the world.

Export of the "magic wand" detectors to Iraq and Afghanistan was banned on 27 January 2010 because of the threat they posed to British and allied troops.

The move followed a BBC Newsnight investigation showing they could not detect explosives - or anything else.

Now Newsnight has learned that they are still being sold around the globe.

At least four rival manufacturers have sold their own versions of these devices and they are now the subject of a major fraud investigation by the City of London police.

One maker, ATSC Ltd, sold thousands of the so-called detectors, which essentially consist of a radio aerial on a hinge attached to a plastic handle, to Iraq for $85m.

It has been alleged that hundreds of Iraqis died in explosions in Baghdad after ADE651 detectors failed to detect suicide bombers at checkpoints.

ATSC boss Jim McCormick is currently on bail after being arrested on suspicion of fraud in connection with the so-called detectors.

The profit margins in the sale of this equipment are enormous.

The manufacturer of another of the devices, the Alpha 6, has admitted to Newsnight that they make them for £11 and then they are sold for £15,000 each to the end user.

'Unsuitable for British Army'

On Thursday, the UK government told BBC Newsnight that between 2001 and 2004 a Royal Engineers sales team went around the world demonstrating the GT200, another of the "magic wand" detectors which has been banned for export to Iraq and Afghanistan, at arms fairs around the world even though the British Army did not consider them suitable for its own use.

The government's Department of Trade and Industry, which has since been superseded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, helped two of the manufacturers sell their products in Mexico and the Philippines.

Newsnight has also found that the manufacturers are still trying to market so-called "bomb detectors" which do not work.

HEDD1 or "Sniffex Reborn!"

Just three months after the ban on sales to Iraq and Afghanistan, a product called the HEDD1, consisting of a radio aerial on a handle made in Bulgaria, was displayed at a security exhibition at Olympia in London.

The company selling the devices, Unival, claimed that while all the other products which looked like it were a "massive scam", theirs was different.

The HEDD1 was marketed by a retired British Army colonel, John Wyatt, who told prospective buyers that it had "proved extremely successful in several foreign countries", including in "double blind" tests.

In reality the maker of HEDD1, Yuri Markov, had been charged in the United States in 2008 for fraudulently claiming that the previous version of his so-called bomb detector could detect explosives.

The US Navy had subjected it to a double-blind test and found it "does not work".

Asked by Newsnight why he had promoted such a product, Col Wyatt said: "I would never put lives at risk on this at all - it is intangible science - I wouldn't use it in a life or death situation."

Nevertheless, in July 2010 he demonstrated the HEDD1 to the Royal Engineers at an army base in Surrey as a potential bomb detector to be used in Afghanistan to deal with IEDs.

Tests

The Royal Engineers showed the HEDD1 to explosives expert Sidney Alford of Alford Technologies, who has previously helped Newsnight expose other so-called detectors.

The HEDD1 failed to find any explosives during a double blind trial and Mr Alford's report concluded by saying "this equipment does not detect explosives".

Col Wyatt told Newsnight he would have made 3,000 euros profit on every HEDD1 he sold but that he had not sold any so far and would not do so without further testing.

Asked by Newsnight whether he had given the product's makers an air of respectability by becoming their agent he said: "If you perhaps feel that they're gaining an edge by my involvement, I'd say probably, yes I'm guilty."

After the Moscow bombing on Monday there will be questions about why the ban on exports to Iraq and Afghanistan has not been extended to protect the citizens of other countries.

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills told Newsnight that there was little point: "The impact of any further UK action in preventing the supply of these devices from the UK would be limited if they are available elsewhere"

Why Didn't Slate Magazine Continue Exposing The Fraud?

2010-12-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

A reader and fellow blogger, on Reasonably Doubting News, points out a few depressing things from an article a few days ago on Slate.com

Divining rods. God help you, Iraq.
http://www.slate.com/id/2274797/

The idiots are still using them. Corrupt politicians refuse to believe that the things don't work.

In the armored truck, with half-inch glass windows and iron paneling, the ride into town was an endless series of checkpoints. Beside great towers of poured-concrete blast walls, heavily armed Iraqis regarded us sourly and used a sort of divining rod to see whether our car had explosives. If shooters approached the truck and opened fire, I was told, we would have an hour before bullets breached the armor.

And some Western journalists apparently have no clue about them.

It seems despite the recent admission by the Iraqi Government, the military is still using these absolutely worthless ADE651 dowsing rods which are estimated to have allowed the deaths of at least hundreds of Iraqi citizens. Deaths which could have been prevented if REAL checks had been conducted with dogs, visual searches, or chemical residue tests. A flashlight and mirror are infinitely better tools, since they actually work.

Too, the journalist for Slate Magazine, Nathan Deuel, describes in graphic detail the massive scale of the loss of life and the personal connection of trying to grasp the tragedy and documents the ongoing attacks with car bombs, mortars and rockets, yet does not comment once on the reckless use of a worthless empty plastic box to "protect" the citizens. Presumably, like most people he must have assumed that even if the "sort of a divining rod" did not work well, at least it probably worked a little. Sadly we know it not only did NOT work, it was a waste of money, time, and worst of all lives. Lives wasted by greedy criminals who knew their products did not and could not detect explosives, yet gladly reaped in millions of dollars and pounds.

Whatever Happened To ADE651 In Iraq?

2010-11-14T11:31:00.000-08:00

From the Washington Post, November 3rd 2010

In Iraq, no magic, or any use, for these wands

By Ernesto Londono

Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, November 3, 2010

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi Interior Ministry inspector general recently determined that wands used by police as the frontline defense in the country's fight against bombs are worthless.

His finding was unsurprising. But in today's Iraq, it had the potential to be politically explosive. What the ministry did in response to the inspector general's conclusion speaks volumes about how the Iraqi government works these days - and why so often it doesn't.

For years, U.S. military officials have called the devices a scam. The British government this year jailed the manufacturer of the ADE-651 gadgets on fraud charges and banned the company from exporting more.

But as damning evidence against the wands mounted, senior Iraqi
security officials, including Interior Minister Jawad Bolani, said the critics were uninformed. The officials maintained the devices, which are supposed to detect explosives inside vehicles and prompt police to search them manually, had saved countless lives.

When faced with the inspector general's findings, Interior Ministry officials did not pull the devices from hundreds of checkpoints that snarl traffic around Baghdad and other Iraqi cities. Instead, they shelved the report and quietly granted immunity to the official who signed the no-bid contracts, worth at least $85 million.

The only public mention of the finding was a small blurb in the report to Congresssubmitted by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction last week. The Iraqi ministry's inspector general, Aqeel Al Turaihi, "reports that many lives have been lost due to the wands' utter ineffectiveness," the report said.

The devices remain ubiquitous across Iraq.
Iraqi policeman Mohammed Shaker, 36, said he was not surprised to hear that the devices are a sham. "We all knew they're a failure," he said. "They don't achieve anything. It's all a show for the public."

Turaihi and other ministry officials did not respond to requests for comment sent by e-mail and phone text messages and through aides. Ali al-Dabbagh, the government spokesman, also did not return numerous phone calls.

The controversy began in 2007, when the Interior Ministry, which oversees Iraq's police force, placed its first order from ATSC, a British company. U.S. military officials at the time expressed alarm, saying the device, which has an antenna that is supposed to pivot sideways when it detects explosives, had been debunked as a scam in other countries.

The ministry went ahead with its order, paying as much as $60,000 for each gizmo.
The manufacturer says the wand is powered by static electricity generated when its user marches in place while holding the instrument straight ahead.

"The simple way to explain this technology is to take an inflated balloon and rub it on your hair," the company explains on its Web site. "A static electric 'charge' is created, making the balloon 'attract' it to say, a wall or other flat surface."

U.S. military explosives experts found that laughable. Worried about the effect that relying on the device could have on their effort to interdict the slew of bombs killing Iraqis and American soldiers daily, many U.S. officers tried to persuade their Iraqi counterparts to ditch them.
In one of many attempts, a team of U.S. officers in 2008 asked Iraqi soldiers trained to use the ADE-651 to demonstrate whether the devices could determine which vehicle parked inside a U.S. base contained dynamite.

The operator's wand tilted toward a couple of vehicles. Neither, it turned out, contained explosives, according to a U.S. military official who participated in the exercise and spoke about it on the condition of anonymity.

"The entire time, his American assistant had a stick of C4 under his uniform," the officer said. "It was like a Monty Python sketch gone horribly wrong."

In January, British authorities arrested ATSC chief Jim McCormick, accusing him of "fraud by misrepresentation." Company officials did not respond to an e-mail asking for comment on the Iraqi inspector general's finding.

When news of the arrest broke, Iraqi officials vowed to launch investigations, including one by the security committee in parliament that lawmakers said would establish who placed the order, who authorized it and whether bribes were involved.

In 2009, Parliament provided a modicum of oversight over state security agencies, but it has been inactive for nearly a year because lawmakers have been consumed by stalled negotiations to form a government after the March 7 election.

The interior minister stood his ground, telling state-run Iraqiya television station in January that the wands had prevented more than 16,000 bombs. The Iraqi government has not disclosed who authorized the orders.

Ministry officials at the time surveyed policemen at checkpoints about whether the devices were showing results.

"We told them they were working fine," an Iraqi police lieutenant said Wednesday, standing next to a checkpoint where his men were using the wands near the neighborhood where a Catholic church was attacked Sunday by a band of suicide bombers. "That's what they wanted to hear," he added. "They want to try to give citizens an image of security that is false."

That attitude infuriates many U.S. officers who have fought in Iraq.

"I'm finding it harder and harder to see any humor in this," Lt. Col. Dennis Yates, who was among the device's critics when he last served in Baghdad in 2008. "This piece of junk did, in fact, significantly contribute to an unknown - and pathetically large - loss of innocent lives. The guy who bought it should rot in one of the stinking jails that dot Baghdad."

What Did The Thai Prime Minister Say About GT-200?

2010-06-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

The Prime Minister of Thailand discussed the results of the double-blind tests of the GT-200, which showed the device to only point towards the sample of explosives 20 percent of the time, while random guessing of which of the four boxes contained the sample would be right on average 25 percent of the time. That means the GT-200 helps you find explosives 0 percent of the time.

Can the Prime Minister of Iraq follow this lead and declare these devices unfit for use by his country's military and police? How about the President of Mexico?

What Is Inside A GT200 Detector? Does An Empty Plastic Box Detect Things?

2010-05-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

Techowiz found this great video of a Thai news report where they opened up a GT200 detector that is claimed to find explosives and drugs and found...nothing. Maybe that is why the Thai government's purchase contract for the GT200 prohibited them from opening the devices for testing. Maybe? Just asking.

What can you buy for selling thousands of GT200 devices that don't actually work, have cost hundreds of lives, and had possibly innocent people arrested on the evidence of a witching wand? Techowiz also found that out. Here is a photo of what is apparently Mr. Jim McCormick's house, courtesy of Google Maps and StreetView. It looks like he has done pretty well for himself. At least the police in Britain finally saw fit to arrest him. Perhaps they could sell his house and cars and give the money to the orphans and widows in Iraq who lost their family members to people killed after car bombs drove right past check points supposedly protected by a GT200.

Why Is The AL-6D From DiodeBell The Newest Fraudulent Detector?

2010-05-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

The people at DiodeBell are smart! If you are going to make a fake detector for drugs or explosives, why limit your claims to a few hundred meters? Why limit yourself to just a few explosives or drugs?

According to the video below, the following countries have been tricked into wasting valuable resources and risking the lives and human rights of their citizens by using the AL-6D.

Serbia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Greece, China, India, Ethiopia, Syria.

Since India and China are included, about 40 percent of the world's population is at risk of being falsely accused of having explosives, drugs, or any other contraband based on the worthless "evidence" of a dowsing rod.

The AL-6D is a freely swinging antenna that points to where the desired substance is located, and has some fancy sounding explanation of how it works using scientific words that have a certain "truthiness" sound to them. The claims are not true, but they SOUND true! Only 3 years ago we published this post linking to the US Department of Justice's warning about these bogus explosive detectors. And that report was from 1999! Sadly, those predictions of the government, warning of more scams like the Quadro Tracker came true. There are getting to be too many to count - Sniffex, ADE650, ADE 651, GT200, Alpha 6, HEDD1, H3 Tec, and now the AL-6D!!

Here are the modest claims by DiodeBell about how the AL-6D can find anything!!

AL-6D detects and localizes explosives in long distances. The AL-6D device accurately detects mines, weapons, RPG’S, stinger missiles, explosive devices, mortar shells, nuclear projectiles, projectiles, antitank weapons, even gunpowder and many other explosives. The device detects explosives in distances ranging from cm to several km, depending on the quantity of explosives, in a sector of 360 degrees and in depths more than 8 meters under soil, water or in the sea. AL-6D detects explosives in open terrain, behind walls, barriers, buildings, hills, inside vehicles and metal containers, etc. Cosmetics, glycerine products, salts, metals and “dirty” battle environment do not influence the accuracy of explosive material detection. Electromagnetic transmission and radiation does not interfere and does not affect the operation and accuracy of the AL-6D device.

AL-6D is using a unique DiodeBell material structure localization technology and method. This technology is based on the magnetic attraction created by particular material structures when energized by low power electromagnetic waves, emitted by the AL-6D antennas. Other explosive detection systems although they promise to detect in long ranges are not accurate even in short distances. The systems that use high power ‘x’ and ‘γ‘ radiation, work only in very short distances, a few meters, and are actually “taking a picture” of the inside of a container or a luggage. Diodebell’s advanced AL-6D technology is the only system that accurately detects explosives in long distances.

The applications of AL-6D are limitless, including:
• Continuous surveillance and monitoring of confined areas of interest, such as passages, military camps, buildings, ports, airports, railway stations, hotels, bus stations, strategic targets, factories, bridges, weapon systems locations, etc.
• Scanning areas, terrains and territories of interest, unknown or invading territories, buildings, etc.
• VIP protection
• vehicles and moving objects, including transport vehicles, airplanes, ships, cars, trains, containers, personal luggage

According to DiodeBell: " AL – 6D appliance is self-contained energy package and does not require external electrical or other kind of power." Does that sound familiar??

Yes, it has 9-volt batteries to power the LCD screen, but what powers the turning of the antenna to point to the explosives or nuclear warhead? The answer is gravity! There is no motor turning the antenna, it just points in the direction in which you slightly tilted your hand, even if the movement was so slight that you did not realize you made it. That is why the AL-6D is hand-held. If you put it on a stand or tripod and let cars drive by trying to find the one with a bomb in it, it would not move at all for the biggest truck bomb or nuclear missile, unless it was blown around by the wind or shaken by an earthquake.

According to the company's website their addresses are:

DiodeBell
97 Spruce Street
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Phone & Fax: 610-6430285
sales@diodebell.com

DiodeBell
302 Sea Street
Dennisport, MA 02639, USA
Phone & Fax: 1-530-6853915
sales@diodebell.com

DiodeBell S.A.
Kserokamares, Sitia 72300, Greece, EU
Phone: +30 28430 29001
Fax: +30 28430 29002

VIOPA 18.02,
Souda Chania 73200, Greece, EU
Phone: +30 28210 23683
Fax: +30 28210 23681
info@diodebell.com
sales@diodebell.com

I know Greece is busy with the economic crisis, but USA? Are you there? FBI? Federal Trade Commission? Does Anyone care about this fraud being sold in the United States of America? The FBI shut down Quadro Tracker 15 years ago for this same basic scam product.

For more entertaining reading, or if you are an FBI agent seeking evidence for fraud, you can download a copy of the AL-6D detector brochure here in case the company is smart enough to take down the false claims from their web site.

--------

Our friend AT from Lonjho also pointed out this product to us, and noted the similarity to another product:
http://www.geotech1.com/cgi-bin/pages/common/index.pl?page=lrl&file=reports/escope20/index.dat

That review of a very similar looking device used for treasure hunting was quite insightful in their final conclusion:

But the real story of this device lies in the circuitry, or the lack thereof. Both the main unit, and the accessories, are stuffed full of do-nothing garbage, and a great deal of effort was made in preventing anyone from determining what the Electroscope is all about. Once dissected, it should be obvious to anyone, even those without a technical background, what the Electroscope really is: an ordinary dowsing rod, with a voltage applied to the antennae. The accessories are entirely bogus, and serve no useful purpose. The four items described here (Model 20, Phaser, and two modules) have a total price tag of $1283, but there is only about $10 worth of "technology" in all of it.

I think a dissection of the AL-6D would show the exact same results: do nothing electronic garbage stuffed inside a box which is really an ordinary dowsing rod. If you really think dowsing for explosives works, save yourself the money and use a wire coat hanger bent into the shape of an L and make it yourself for free. You will have exactly the same level of accuracy as any of the devices like AL-6D, HEDD1, Sniffex, Quadro Tracker, Alpha 6, PSD, GT200, H3 Tec, or any of the other past, present, or inevitable future devices.

Why Is Jim McCormick Still Selling ADE 651?

2010-05-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

No, it is NOT unfortunate that some people refuse to believe that your product works! If you ever once prove your ADE651 Detector works, we will believe you! You are right that many people do not believe the concept [that dowsing rods work to find explosives]. but that does not mean we are ignoring the problem. The group of bloggers united to exposing your fraud and bringing companies like yours to face criminal charges is trying to SAVE lives by convincing people to use REAL explosive detection equipment, not a freely swinging transistor radio antenna on a plastic box that has failed every scientific test of its capabilities.

Does anyone else notice how Mr. McCormick rationalizes the failure of the ADE651? "It is more technique..." - Meaning YOU the buyer or tester is at fault if it does not find the bombs.

Think of all of the lives lost in Iraq and around the world if his claim of having sold 6,000 dowsing rods around the world is true. How many innocent people in Thailand have been arrested on the "evidence" of a bogus magic wand. How many people killed in the drug wars in Mexico, when the police searching for weapons or drugs walked right past the criminals beside them. How many people died in Iraq, in bombings like the in the video Jim showed so dramatically.

Yes, people doubt the "technology" of the ADE651 because every time the technology of divining or dowsing rods has been tested for finding explosives or drugs or weapons, or anything else, the technology has failed. Why does the device SEEM to work during the sales demonstration? Because with the ideomotor effect, the customer slightly moves his hand toward the sample of explosives without realizing it. It is a magic trick. It is an illusion. It is NOT a way to protect lives from terrorists or violent drug lords.

---

Thanks to our friend AT at the Lonjho blog for bringing this video to our attention.

Why Did We Wish The Media Reported On The GT200, ADE651, Alpha 6, Or MOLE Detector Sooner?

2010-02-17T18:35:00.000-08:00

The BBC has done an excellent job recently in reporting on the British Government crack on Jim McCormick for selling the ADE651 to Iraq for $85 million US. After the recent failure of the nearly identical GT200 in Thailand's tests, they ask why the British government did not intervene sooner. Mr. James Randi exposed the Quadro Tracker dowsing rod in 1995 and 96. After the FBI arrested the makers and the US courts banned the sale of the device, the makers moved to the UK and renamed the device the MOLE Detector. When it was tested by US scientists in 2002, they noted it seemed to have been made in the exact same mould for plastic the Quadro Tracker had been made in. Mr. Randi has been trying since then to get people to heed the warnings about these deadly bogus detectors, but it was not until hundreds of citizens of Iraq died needlessly that any action was taken. How many people have lost their lives in Iraq, Lebanon, Thailand, Mexico, and other countries because of dependence on these worthless fraudulent detectors instead of technology that works, or at least spending the money on other equipment.

Why did UK not ban so-called 'bomb detectors' earlier?

By Meirion Jones and Caroline Hawley
BBC Newsnight

Questions are being raised about why the British government did not intervene to stop the export of useless "bomb detectors" such as the British-made ADE651 and GT200 earlier, before they were exported to Iraq, Thailand, Pakistan, China, Mexico, Kenya, Lebanon and many other countries.

Following a BBC Newsnight investigation into the "magic wand detectors", which was broadcast on 22 January 2010, which showed that they had no functioning parts, Britain banned their export to Iraq and Afghanistan because they might endanger British or allied forces.

They then issued a warning to governments around the world that they did not work.

On Tuesday of this week, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Abhisit Vejjajiva, banned the purchase of any more GT200s after further tests in Bangkok showed they were no more effective than guessing where explosives might be.

It has now emerged that the British authorities have been aware of the devices for at least 10 years and that the UK Foreign Office has been aware of concerns for a year.

Fail in scientific trials
In January 2000, Gary Bolton who runs the company which makes the GT200 tried to sell an early version called the Mole to British customs.

He even demonstrated it to search teams at Heathrow airport as a drug detector.
It failed to find a large sample of cocaine at a range of less than one metre, but no scientific tests were carried out.

“ Someone should have stepped in and shut this operation down ”
Professor Bruce Hood, Bristol University

In 2002 the Mole was tested in a thorough double blind trial at the Sandia National Laboratories in the United States, which found that it was incapable of detecting explosives.
As in all scientific trials of these "dowsing" detection devices they performed no better than random chance.

Professor Bruce Hood of Bristol University has been campaigning against these devices which he describes as "a piece of plastic with a car aerial sticking out of it" and he says that after the Sandia trials in 2002 "at that point someone should have stepped in and shut this operation down".
Instead hundreds of GT200s were sold to Thailand for a total bill of over $20m and more than a 1,000 ADE651s have been sold to Iraq.

Concerns flagged up

The Iraqi government has spent $85m on the devices which are used on most checkpoints and there are concerns that they have failed to stop bomb attacks that have killed hundreds of people.
In January 2009 the Chair of the Defence Select Committee, James Arbuthnot MP, raised concerns about the marketing of the GT200 with Defence Minister Quentin Davies MP.

The Foreign Office told the BBC that they also became aware in March 2009 that "concerns had been raised" about the ADE651 used in Iraq and started monitoring the situation, but they didn't warn the Iraqis until November 2009.

Even then they did not tell them that the devices did not work - they just warned of the "possible risk to life of relying on these devices if they were indeed ineffective".

Arrest
In late December 2009, Avon and Somerset police stopped a shipment of ADE651s and on 5 January 2010 they arrested Jim McCormick, the boss of the company which makes the devices, on suspicion of fraud.

But it was not until after the BBC investigation was broadcast on 22 January 2010 that the British government imposed an export ban on the devices to Iraq and Afghanistan.
And it was not until 5 February that they contacted other countries to warn that "the British government has serious doubts about the effectiveness of devices such as the ADE651 and GT200 at detecting bombs".

The Liberal Democrat MP David Heath is outraged at all the delays and plans to ask Prime Minister Gordon Brown "why nothing was done to try to stop all this at the earliest opportunity and why other countries were not warned that these devices were quite frankly useless".

What Happens When Detectors Like GT200 Fail Another Test?

2010-02-17T18:18:00.000-08:00

The government of Thailand viewed the recent actions of the British Government and finally listened to their own citizens in calling for the testing of the hundreds of GT200 detectors in use to find explosives. As we previously reported, at least three Thai police officers were killed in a bombing where their GT200 showed no explosives to be present.

The Bangkok Post has diligently been reporting on the scandal, and documented the failure of the GT200 in government tests, and plans to test the almost identical Alpha 6 detector which is used to find drugs.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Abhisit scraps GT200 orders

Device registers 20% success rate in tests

The government will not buy any more GT200 substance detectors after test results showed the device performs worse than a roll of the dice.

The decision came after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was briefed yesterday on the test findings by Science and Technology Minister Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich.

Tests were conducted on Sunday after the effectiveness of a similar British-made bomb detector, the ADE651, was criticised and it was banned by the British government.

Next up for tests: The Alpha 6 "drug detectors"

The tests consisted of 20 trials in which explosives were placed in one of four boxes. The device succeeded in recording just four correct readings.

The cabinet has issued an order to all state agencies to abandon any plans to buy any more of the device, the prime minister said.

Mr Abhisit said using the device over the long run would place authorities in the field at risk. He called for a review of the use of the detectors by all agencies.

The Science and Technology Ministry was instructed to send the tests results to all agencies that use the device so they had a better understanding of why they should no longer use the equipment.

Mr Abhisit said he was surprised that authorities in the field still believed the detectors were effective at detecting bombs.

He said there was no recommendation as to what equipment or alternative methods should be used if the use of GT200 was discontinued.

The government would investigate whether there were irregularities in the purchases of 818 GT200 detectors, he said. The device is used by the army, the air force, police force, the Customs Department and the Central Institute of Forensic Science.

Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, and the army yesterday opted to continue using the device.

Khunying Porntip said her institute had found the device effective.

"I've said GT200 is not a scientific device." she said.

"Its efficiency also relies on human interactions. The institute has found it effective as a supplementary device."

An army source said army commander Anupong Paojinda had instructed army personnel in the three southernmost provinces to continue using the GT200.

"There is no order prohibiting its use," the source said. "But the purchase plan is put on hold."

The units handling the device have been instructed to submit reports on its operations, the source said.

Local residents in the South yesterday called for the scrapping of the use of the device in public places following the test results.

Nimu Makaje, chairman of the advisory council for peace-building in Yala, said if agencies insisted on using the equipment, the operations must be limited to their units only.

"It must not be used to search or do anything with the people because problems will follow," he said.

"The test results clearly show they are not effective."

Human rights activist Angkhana Neelaphaijit urged the government to find ways to compensate the "victims" of the GT200 device.

She said many innocent people had been wrongfully identified as suspects by the device since it was introduced in the three southernmost provinces.

The use of sniffer dogs is being urged as an alternative, but Poj Paiboonkasemsut, president of the chambers of commerce in five southern provinces, issued a word of caution due to differences in religious faiths and cultures.

"The use of sniffer dogs to search for illegal substances is good but authorities should be sensitive to people's cultural and religious backgrounds," Mr Poj said.

Democrat MP for Narathiwat Jehaming Toktayong said yesterday another test of the GT200 might be conducted following a complaint about possible contamination of the test venue.

Mr Jehaming said one of the test committee members suspected explosive contamination which could have skewed the test results.

He said that once a formal complaint was lodged he would proceed with it and press for a fresh test.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Questions About The Article

Bravo to Bangkok Post for the continued reporting on this scandal!

However, the article should clarify a few things.

The GT200 is NOT 20 percent effective at finding explosives. It is as effective as randomly guessing. In this trial, it was actually less effective, but statistically over time it would be shown to be the same as guessing which box had the explosives, rolling dice, or flipping a coin.   The reason the GT200 was able to correctly find the explosives 20 percent of the time was because one box in 4 held the sample.   That does NOT mean the GT200 detector worked 20 percent of the time.   It did not work at all! It was ZERO percent effective at helping find the explosives.   If there had been 2 boxes to pick from, would you say it was 50 percent effective? If there were 10 boxes and only one held the sample, would you say it was only 10 percent effective when on average it pointed to the correct box one time in 10? What about 100 identical boxes, or 1000? If a clock is stopped, is it not just luck or coincidence that occasionally the real time matches the broken clock? It does not mean the clock itself suddenly started working that moment, it is a coincidence.

Why is the Army in Thailand allowed to continue to use the GT200 after it completely failed these tests? It does not work!   Another article mentioned soldiers using chopsticks in place of the GT200 detectors to find explosives. Hopefully they were doing this sarcastically to prove the stupidity of the prior issuance of the GT200.   But even if they were not, at least the government saved money and the soldiers knew they were holding just a stick of wood, instead of an equally useless metal antenna that had been falsely described as a detection device.

When Will The Thailand Government Listen About ADE651 and GT200?

2010-02-06T04:28:00.000-08:00

Mr. James Randi has been the leader for decades in exposing the ineffectiveness of dowsing. He has also been the most vocal critic of the fraudulent and dangerous practice of selling dowsing rods to police and military units to find explosives, weapons, drugs, or evidence. Lives have been lost in Iraq, Thailand, and probably Mexico because of the reliance by government officials on these devices. Yet once the the very expensive yet worthless metal rods have been purchased, the officials have a very hard time believing that they bought the detectors based on an illusion or magic trick, and that the rods do not actually work!

We have often supported our friends in Thailand in exposing the danger presented to both the lives and civil rights of the citizens there by these bogus detection rods. The GT200, ADE651, Alpha 6, Sniffex, HEDD1, H3 Tec, MOLE, PSD-22, Quadro Tracker, and any other similar device is a product that only risk lives and steals money from the buyers. All of these products have been challenged by Mr. Randi to win 1 million US dollars if they can show they work. The maker of the device does not even have to prove it. Any of the customers who bought one in Iraq, Thailand, Mexico, Estonia, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, or dozens of other countries can also claim the million dollar prize if they can prove the device can actually find explosives, drugs, money, gold, weapons, or anything else.

Below is an article posted on the site of Mr. Randi's educational foundation, JREF. We hope he does not mind us reprinting it here.

RECEIVED FROM A THAI CORRESPONDENT
Swift
Written by James Randi
Thursday, 04 February 2010 13:23

We received this from a reader who is concerned about the use of the so-called electronic dowsing rods in his country, Thailand…

My name is Tuang Cheevatadavirut. I'm a freshly graduated student in MBA/MSIS (Master of Science in Information Systems) at Iowa State University. I saw your blog comment on the arrest of James McCormick, so I’d like to tell you about GT200 use in Thailand. This is a device similar to the ADE 651, Quadro Tracker, M.O.L.E., HEDD1, Sniffex (Plus), Alpha 6, PSD-22, and H3Tec, etc. I want to give you all the possible names of the device, given that government agencies in many countries – Pakistan, Iraq, UK, Mexico, Dubai, Kenya, Tanzania, Philippines, Lebanon, Jordan, China, Afghanistan, and possibly India – have been employing this kind of bogus device. Not only does it put innocent citizens at risk, but also the security forces’ personnel, be it militia men or police.

Randi: Tuang, there are many more than the eight you list, believe me. These fake devices are on sale all over the world, and those who sell them are doing very well, I can assure you!

These days there are many insurgencies that occur in southern Thailand daily. Innocent citizens as well as security forces’ personnel are losing their lives. To counter such incidents, many government agencies have ordered the GT200. Even though in the past weeks there have been claims that the device is bogus, the Thai Central Forensic Science Institute, the Provincial Electricity Authority and military agencies such as the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Air Force's Directorate of Armaments, the Naval Ordnance Department, and the Royal Thai Navy, have defended their use and the effectiveness of such devices.

Concerned by the use of this bogus device, Dr. Jetsada Denduangboripan, a representative of the Thai science community, has been in the forefront of debunking such devices with the help of Meirion Jones from the BBC's Newsnight program. Jones has debunked this kind of device, specifically the ADE-651, as used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fortunately, the Thai media seem to take interest in this subject. There are many talk shows inviting Dr. Jetsada as well as government personnel who support the use of GT200, to appear. Furthermore, Dr. Jetsada has mocked such devices by making a JD300, JD being his initials, at a cost of less than $5. You can see this [Bottom of Article]

Randi: Start watching this video at 2:21 and you’ll see just how naïve the soldiers are in demonstrating such a device. At 2:32 you see that they have only one object – identified in advance as an explosive! – and they merely show that the freely-swiveling rod will point at it! If they’d had 10 boxes, one of which contained an explosive, and had been asked to determine in which box that was, they’d have obtained 10% success…! You’ll see Dr. Jetsada using a wrench, a hinge, and a rod to show how easily the thing can be exposed.

The government representatives have opposed to termination of the use of such device saying that even though the device might not be working 100% – depending on the operator’s health and faith in the said device – it does help to keep the security forces’ morale high. In my opinion, the dependence on the operator basically means “if it does not work, blame the operator, not the device.” The representatives say that working without the device would make the security forces feel vulnerable. It looks like the device is not only just a tool, but also a sacred talisman, a very pricey talisman. It is, as the price of the bogus device sold to Thailand is $27,000 while the complete set, the device plus 21 “sensor cards,” is as much as $36,000. In addition, the figures show that so far the Thai authority has bought 535 GT200s or about $19,260,000 worth. Well, Iraq has bought many of ADE-651 devices that costs them $85 million. I guess we are not in as bad a situation as they are.

Even though the government representatives admitted that the device has no electronic parts inside and is less than reliable, Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand, a notable and respectful pathologist as well as the director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, insists that the device works 100%. False positives or false negatives are at work here. Both the representatives and Dr. Pornthip keep on employing the device to initially scout an area, a vehicle, or a potential suspect followed by the use of Smith Sabre 4000, Fido Explosives Detector, or both.

Randi: Again, we offer our million-dollar prize to the Director if he can make the device – or any other dowsing device – work. Why is he not in touch with us, I wonder…? I’m willing to jump over to Thailand to conduct such a test, but no one has asked me… Back to Tuang:

The following is from Wikipedia: The Thai press has condemned the GT200 for having "given wrong readings on several occasions and even failed to detect explosive materials, resulting in the loss of life." However, Thailand's Democratic Party Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has asserted that the GT200 actually works and that it is not necessary to establish a committee to study its effectiveness. [The] Deputy Prime Minister has tried to reassure MPs that the GT200 is not like the ADE651: "We use a different brand," he said.

Randi: Here is yet again another qualified – and confident – applicant for the million dollars! Why is our phone so silent…?

This, even though there are news reports of the military saying that the procurement of such a device “would be halted” if the device is proven to be ineffective. So far there has been no scientific investigation into such a device by the military. A double blind test would be nice. Thai PM Abhisit previously said that to counter the problem of operator’s health condition, the government agency will buy a different brand that requires a battery.

Well, the most recent update says that the PM has been in touch with Dr. Jetsada and now says that the credibility of BBC news is reliable. So the PM will bring this issue into his cabinet meeting. His earlier announcement of procuring a battery version was based only on a short report sent to him and he didn’t check on more info beforehand. That’s good news. I’m crossing my fingers.

Well, I’m writing this to you as the device could create false assumption that could harm innocents as well as the security forces employing such devices around the world. Selling such a bogus tool for detecting bombs at a steep price is unjust and appalling. In addition, Thai Veteran Day is this Wednesday, February 3rd, and I thought that if you could post a comment on this issue, not specifically to Thailand, but for all countries around the world before this Wednesday, that’d be awesome! I do appreciate your time going over this email.

Randi: Well, Tuang, I regret that we were unable to get this item up in time, but it may well reach a number of persons in authority who may react correctly to T’s comments…

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Some of our regular readers might recognize the JD300 as quite similar to the AT200 detector designed by Andres Tonini of the Lonjho blog. Andres has done an outstanding job at exposing the dangerous reliance by Mexican authorities on the GT200 in their fight violent drug lords. Once again, these devices risk lives and civil rights. Andres has also worked with the Thai bloggers covering this issue, showing the truly international effort on the internet to expose these scams. Personally, I think I can make an even more cost effective detector, so I should create the LL400 Super Detector!

Andres also found this great photo from the Pantip forum in Thailand that has done so much to expose the scam in their country.

I don't understand any Thai language, but I think credit for the art should go to:

: ว่าจะขำขำ..เอาซะเนียน (KeKXiM)

Will The Thai Government Use A Double-Blind Test For GT200?

2010-02-03T15:03:00.000-08:00

It is essential that if the government of Thailand wants to correctly test the GT200 detectors that they use a double-blind test! If a scientist hides an explosive sample and then watches a user of the GT200 seek out the sample, the user might pick up the body language of the scientist to find the sample. That means they are using their mind and common sense to find the sample, NOT the GT200. It is even worse if the media and camera crews are there filming, since there are even more people to give away the location, by unconsciously looking at where the object is hidden.

A true test of the device would have one person hide the sample in one of several identical boxes. The box containing the sample would be chosen randomly by flipping a coin, rolling dice, or pulling a number out of a hat. The person would hide the sample and then leave. Only then would the user of the GT200 and the observers enter the test area and try to find the sample. The user would determine which, if any, box held the sample and report their answer to the observer. The box would not be opened then to check if he was right. The procedure would repeated at least 20 times if four identical boxes are used.

Before testing, the user should be able to test the device in the area, to make sure there is no interference which could be used later to claim the test did not work. Also, the user should be able to test the device by seeing if the GT200 can find the sample explosive when in plain sight.

NO PERSON should watch both the hiding and the searching for the explosive sample!! If they want to set up a camera on a tripod to record everything to ensure fairness and watch the video later, that is a perfect solution. But a person can give away clues as to where the real sample is hidden.

Please Thailand! Use a double blind test!!

An excellent example of such a test, that was used on the same device when it had the name MOLE is listed here:

http://www.justnet.org/Lists/JUSTNET%20Resources/Attachments/440/moleeval_apr02.pdf

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/32244/ministry-begins-gt200-lab-tests-today

Ministry begins GT200 lab tests today

Disassembly an option if results not conclusive

Published: 4/02/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The Science and Technology Ministry is to begin practical and lab tests Thursday on the efficiency of the GT200 bomb detector.

A 13-member committee formed yesterday will start the tests by asking users to operate the GT200 to detect hidden bombs, Science and Technology Minister Kalaya Sophonpanich said.

The devices will also be tested with static electricity and magnetic frequencies.

Khunying Kalaya expected the team to conclude its tests in two weeks.

But if the chemical and physical tests do not yield satisfactory results, the scientists would disassemble the device for further examination, she said.

The committee appointed by Khunying Kalaya is made up of representatives of the detector's users, scientists and statisticians.

The house committee on national security yesterday held a meeting of relevant agencies to discuss the GT200's effectiveness.

Committee chairman Jeh-aming Tohtayong said security authorities in the lower South were insisting the device was effective as their inaccuracy rate was only once or twice every 20 times it was used.

Mr Jeh-aming called for an end to comments on the GT200's efficiency and for everyone involved to wait until this was proven scientifically by the ministry to avoid confusion.

But adviser to the committee Muk Sulaiman, a former Pattani MP, argued that residents of his province had told him that inconsistencies in detection by the GT200 scanner were troubling many local people.

Mr Muk quoted them as saying the device sometimes misidentified objects possessed by people as bombs and, and as a result, security authorities had detained innocent people. Most of the time, those people had been questioned in military camps for a couple of days before being released.

Deputy secretary-general of the Federation of Southern Teachers Sutsuai Bunchuai backed the GT200s, saying security authorities in the South should be allowed to continue using them.

"It's not necessary that the detector detect all bombs," Mrs Sutsuai said.

Who Will Monitor The Tests Of GT200, ADE651, Alpha 6, And Others?

2010-02-02T15:14:00.001-08:00

The Nation in Thailand Reports:

GT200

Southerners got 'training' after tests by dodgy device

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION
Published on February 3, 2010

Further doubt was cast on the efficacy of the controversial GT200 explosive detector yesterday when panelists at a symposium at Chulongkorn University's Faculty of Science concluded it was almost certainly a "hoax" and urged people in society to be more scientifically minded.

Meanwhile, Chulalongkorn molecular biologist Jessada Boripant, who "exposed" the device purchased by both the Thai Army and police, said an independent body was needed to avoid similar problems with future purchases of complicated technological equipment.

"I think [it's not intentional corruption] but ignorance. It's a great hoax. Our society doesn't question it as long as the users appear. Our society relies on superstition," Jessada told The Nation.

The scientist said he and colleagues in the Wahkor Internet Scientific Group would closely monitor the upcoming examination process of the GT200 bomb detector and if something unusual occurred they would let the public know.

At the symposium, Tiraphan Wilaithong, a physicist from the Centre for Excellence in Physics, said there was only a "one out of a billion or out of 10 billion" chance the GT200 would function as intended.

Asst Prof Pong Srongpong, a physics lecturer at Chulalong-korn, said producers of GT200 relied on fancy words such as diapara magnetism, which, he thought "has nothing to do with detecting process".

He attacked claims that the device had a detection range up to 700 metres as farfetched. "My God! This 700 metre range is out of this world!" he said.

Kwarn Seetathanee, director of National Institute of Technology (Nectech) had a similar view, saying the probability of such a device working was almost nil. "Diapara-magnetism? Very improbable."

The panel urged the Ministry of Science and the Environment to test the device and claims about its efficacy. However, they refused to say what should be done to avoid similar problems in the future, claiming they only sought to offer academic knowledge.

Angkhana Neelapaijit, head of the Working Group on Justice for Peace, claimed 400 Thai-Malay Muslims had been forced into "occupational training" by the Army after they were wrongly detected with traces of explosives by the GT200.

She said it was long overdue to find out if the device was reliable or not.

Angkhana showed a letter to The Nation detailing how local residents were suddenly picked up and taken for forced training for four months after the GT200 device found they had been involved with bombs without any further evidence.

"Officials used the detector then they took us to vehicles," part of a text by a person affected by use of the device in the deep South stated.

-----------------------------------------------------------
From The Bangkok Post:

Ministry tests reliability of bomb detector

Abhisit wants findings to help remove doubts
Published: 3/02/2010 at 12:00 AM

Results of tests on the GT200 bomb detector conducted by the Science and Technology Ministry will be released within a week, minister Kalaya Soponpanich says.

The cabinet yesterday ordered the ministry to conduct tests on the British-made devices.

Khunying Kalaya said a meeting would be called today to form a panel to devise the tests.

The cabinet is concerned about the detector's reliability and consistency and invited soldiers, security experts and drugs officers to provide information on its use at its meeting yesterday.

The invited guests expressed satisfaction with the detectors but the cabinet wanted more academic research to support their claims.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the tests should be concluded as soon as possible as the doubts about the detector were having an impact on the credibility of state agencies which use the device.

"As soon as the inquiry is completed, the government will decide [whether to continue to use the detectors]," he said.

The prime minister asked the public not to jump to conclusions about any corruption involved in the purchase of the devices as he had not seen the details of the purchases.

"At this stage we should not rush to conclude who should be blamed or who is responsible for the purchase of the devices until we know whether they are effective or not," Mr Abhisit said.

He said there were about 700 bomb devices in the country. Government records show most have been bought since 2006.

Scientists insisted yesterday the bomb-detection technology used by the GT200 was not based on recognised bomb scanning principles.

Speaking at a seminar on the scientific principles of bomb and narcotic drugs scanners hosted by Chiang Mai University's Centre of Excellence in Physics and Chulalongkorn University's science faculty, the centre's director, Thiraphat Wilaithong, said the operation of the GT200 was not based on any principles of physics.

Doubts about the GT200 emerged after BBC tests on the ADE651 device, which is almost identical to the GT200, showed they could not detect bombs.

Mr Thiraphat suggested that researchers should be supported to produce Thai-made bomb scanners based on electrochemical and biosensor technology.

He said researchers at the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre were capable of developing such scanners.

Mr Thiraphat's suggestion was supported by Phong Songphong, a Chulalongkorn University physics lecturer.

Mr Phong said the GT200 scanning technology could not be explained by existing scientific principles.

Biosensor-based scanning devices or dogs could give more accurate detection results, he said.

-------------------------------

Bravo to Thailand for taking a close look at these fraudulent detectors and being strong enough to admit some officials may have not asked enough questions before buying the equipment. Will MEXICO be next? How many people must die in the drug wars before the government in Mexcow will conduct the same tests?

Is The Thai Military Showing Good Sense In Not Buying GT-200 Devices?

2010-01-29T16:17:00.000-08:00

While some in the Iraqi Military have insisted their worthless ADE-651, GT-200, and Alpha 6 devices actually work despite overwhelming evidence they are nothing but a dowsing rod scam, the Thai government has finally shown a wise restraint in delaying a planned purchase of more GT200 detectors. The people of Thailand should commend their leaders for this action and encourage them to cancel the purchase entirely, as well as prosecute the people who committed the fraud against the nation's police and military. The video of Thai officers being killed after these devices failed should be enough to prove the danger of the fraud that resulted in the death of at least 4 officers.

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=13955

Army may delay purchase GT200 bomb detector
BANGKOK, Jan 28 (TNA) - Thai army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda on Thursday asserted that the British-made GT200 bomb detector used in the security forces operations in the three restive southern border provinces is effective, but the army may delay the new purchase of the controversial gear for reasons of transparency.

Gen Anupong commented following criticism by many parties on the effectiveness of the GT200 bomb detector after the British government banned exports of the ADE651 bomb detector to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The ADE651 bomb detector is manufactured by the British-based company Global Technical, and is similar to the GT200 bomb detector, widely used in security operations in Thailand's Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces in which insurgency attacks have killed more than 4,000 lives since violence erupted 2004.

The army chief said he has recently been told by the Fourth Army Area commander who oversees security in the far South that the device is effective. Without them, it would be more difficult for security forces to carry out their work.

Gen Anupong said no verification has been made regarding the percentage of the device's effectiveness, but he said that concerned agencies will look into it.

Regarding the planned purchase of another lot of the scanners, Gen Anupong said that the army may consider delaying the purchase for transparency, but must study the purchase process carefully to avoid facing possible legal action from the seller.

Meanwhile, Jessada Denduangboripant, lecturer at the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, told the House committee on National Security that the GT200 bomb detector is simply a bogus device, while questioning how the scanners are widely used in many agencies despite its unually high cost at about Bt1.4 million each.

The academic pointed out technical errors in detecting bomb of GT200 occurred more than twice as earlier reported.

There are many cases which the device failed to detect bombs and that caused huge loss of lives and property he said, adding that the scanner also gave wrong results in many drug-testing cases. This destroys the people's confidence on state agencies as legal action has been wrongly taken against many innocent people.

Mr Jessada added that he is surprised over the qualification of the GT200 bomb detector which claims it can detect many materials from bomb-making substances, drugs, chemical substances, uranium, gold, ivory, banknotes and even biologic substance such as corpse.

No scientist in this world can prove how the GT200 bomb scanner is able to effectively detect different kinds of materials, he said.

Following Mr Jessada's explanation, the House committee resolved to continue further probe on the case with the army and academics given that it is considered the matter of life and death of people in the restive region. (TNA)

Political News : Last Update : 20:02:40 28 January 2010 (GMT+7:00)

What Does The Thai Press Think Of The GT200 Bogus Detectors?

2010-01-29T16:05:00.000-08:00

gruttepier666 posted a new video on YouTube about the use of these bogus detectors in Thailand. As he describes it:

" A cop from thai forensic science dept. confessed to this perky host that There's no any electronic sensor at all in gt200.

It's simply just an useless 40000usd plastic case which thai soldiers 've been using for bomb detection for years . (oh boy!)

Here's an excerpt from BBC ,"The British Foreign Office has told the BBC that they will now be urgently warning all governments who may have bought devices such as the ADE651 and GT200 that they are "wholly ineffective" at detecting bombs and explosives. "

Will Thai Authorities Admit Their Mistake After The ADE651 And GT200 Have Been Exposed As Fraud?

2010-01-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

Followers of this blog will know the citizens of Thailand have also been struggling to get their government to stop using dowsing rods to try to detect weapons and drugs. The video of Thai police officers being killed by an explosive that their dowsing rod did not detect should have been sufficient proof of the danger presented by GT200, ADE-651, HEDD1, Sniffex, PSD22, H3 Tec, or any other such device. The Tumbler Blog takes a look at the response of Thai government officials to the overwhelming evidence that the devices do not work:

Authorities Insist GT200 Does Work, The Nation Says No10

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva on his internet Q&A programme, talking about the GT200

If anyone wants an indicator of how low our government has sunk in recent months, there is probably no better one than the fact that The Nation is now talking more sense than the Oxford-educated PM Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The BBC recently conducted an investigation into one of the many types of so-called hand-held “substance detectors” being used by government agencies in a handful of Third World countries including Thailand. The Iraqis are using them at checkpoints to thwart suicide bombers. Thai police forces have them in hand when looking for illegal drugs. Thai troops in the deep south also use them to save people from bombs, for example.

The investigation concluded that the device is completely bogus, consisting of nothing more than cheaply-made plastic and unsophisticated parts. While the model of the detector examined (ADE-651) was different from the ones being used in Thailand (GT200), the UK government has issued a ban on the ADE-651 “and other similar devices” and also arrested the man behind the ADE-651 detector. The BBC makes it clear that no Western government uses these types of detectors. For more information see Bangkok Pundit’s posts here, here and here.

(Click “read the rest of this entry” below to see Thailand’s response.)

In Thailand, netizens and university lecturers have been campaigning against the use of the GT200 for quite a while, but their efforts have proved largely fruitless, with the authorities insisting that the detectors do work reliably and help cut violence in the deep south. The media-friendly Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand has challenged sceptics to observe her team use the device in their daily forensic job.

Now, after the BBC’s revelation, one would expect that the Thai authorities would have seen the truth and stopped using the GT200 by now. Yet, their responses have been absolutely astonishing, even by the standard of our beloved Thailand.

First we have Anupong the army chief:

In response to reporters’ angry questions about the British-made scanner, Army chief Anupong Paochinda shot back: “Is the company using you to ask these questions?” (The Nation)

Then, another one in the military top brass:

Joint Military Police Civilian Taskforce commander Lt-General Kasikorn Kirisri said the GT200 scanner was very useful in detecting and preventing explosions in the deep South, where violent incidents on an almost daily basis have killed more than 3,900 people to date.
“Not using the bomb detector may affect efforts to restore peace in the deep South,” he warned, adding that there might have been some problems with the detector, but they mostly involved human error. (The Nation)

Then this, a bit more promising but still under the illusion that the GT200 is a real functioning detector:

However, the police believe the bomb detector is not effective enough, with only a 30-40-per-cent reliability factor, which means the chance of it failing is higher than succeeding.
“It is not accurate. If the operator is too close to the target – less than 3 metres – it will not work,” said Pol Senior Sgt-Major Chan Warongpaisit, who regularly operates the equipment in the South. (The Nation)

But what about Dr Pornthip? :

Meanwhile, Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of the Forensic Science Institute and who always uses the GT200, said the UK had only banned the ADE651.
She said the detector was effective when searching for bombs and even nails under water. (The Nation)

Not to be outdone, our dear Prime Minister in his internet broadcast (Thai language):

[My translation]:
In the past these detectors were purchased. If you ask me whether they have been of any use, I’d say “yes, they have.” But a weakness has been found. As far as I know from talking to people familiar with it, a limit of this device is that it relies on static charges within the body of the user. Hence, sometimes if the user hasn’t had enough rest or is not well-prepared, the detector’s effectiveness will be reduced. So, at the moment, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board is asking for similar detectors, maybe with different names or brands, but which are battery-operated. They will replace the GT200.
[Original quotation in Thai]:
“ในอดีตเนี่ยมีการซื้ออุปกรณ์ตัวนี้มา ถามว่าได้ประโยชน์มั้ย ก็ได้ประโยชน์ครับ แต่ว่ามีการพบครับว่า มันมีจุดอ่อน คือเครื่องนี้เนี่ย เท่าที่ผมได้มีโอกาสพูดคุยกับผู้ที่เกี่ยวข้อง ก็คือว่า มีจุดอ่อนตรงที่ว่า ยังต้องอาศัยเรื่องของกระแสไฟฟ้าในตัวคนที่ใช้ เพราะฉะนั้นบางทีสภาพของตัวบุคคลที่ไปตรวจนะครับ ถ้า อาจจะพักผ่อนน้อยไป ไม่มีความพร้อมเนี่ย ก็จะทำให้เครื่องนี้เนี่ย ขาดประสิทธิภาพ เพราะฉะนั้นขณะนี้เนี่ย แนวที่ ปปส. ขอดำเนินงาน ก็คืออุปกรณ์ในแบบเดียวกันครับ แต่ว่า อาจจะเรียกว่าคนละยี่ห้อหรือคนละชื่อ ที่มีพลังงานในตัวเอง จะถูกนำมาใช้แทน”

Perhaps the PM had been briefed by some security officials before the programme, and that was probably his only source of information. He should be pretty embarrassed to know that even The Nation sounds more sensible than him. From the same report:

Just like the ADE651, no tests have proved the GT200 to be totally effective.
[...]
Yet, the GT200 failed to detect many bombs in the deep South, which led to several tragic incidents. Last October, two bombs killed two people and injured dozens of others in Yala and Narathiwat provinces after the so-called bomb detector failed to detect any explosive devices in the area. However, military officials say the operators were in an excited state, which prevented the equipment from working properly.

In reality though, bomb detectors like the GT200 have never succeeded in double-blind tests. A test of the equipment conducted for Thai authorities by a sales agent resulted in a “random chance” finding, which meant a sniffer dog would be better at detecting explosives.
A 1999 guideline from the US Justice Department regarding commercial explosive-detection systems said so far, there were no devices that could successfully detect specific materials like explosives as part of controlled double-blind tests.
[...]
An Chulalongkorn University engineer said the bomb detector was being used in the deep South as if it were a magic dowsing rod.

What Does James Randi Think Of The Export Ban On ADE651?

2010-01-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

Why Are The Makers of HEDD1 Dumber Than ADE651?

2010-01-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

Unival's HEDD1® handheld explosive detection device.

16:17 GMT, January 25, 2010 On 22 January 2010 BBC 2 television reported on an alleged fraud linked to the sale of 1,500 ADE651 reference-card based explosive detectors sold to the Iraqi government, claiming these devices did not function as promised.

During the related investigation, the device was tested by Cambridge University's Computer Laboratory. Dr. Kuhn of CU stated unambiguously that the ADE651 contained nothing but the type of anti-theft tag sensor used to prevent theft from retail shops. He added, “It was impossible that it could detect anything at all” and that the card had “absolutely nothing to do with the detection of TNT or other explosives”.

Against this background, unival® group would like to pro-actively inform its clients and distributors that the HEDD1®, along with all previous generations of our handheld explosive detection devices, are completely different from reference-card based devices, as our systems work on the patented Magneto-Electrostatic-Detection (MED) principle. That is, they are active devices that modulate a specific magnetic field detecting only the modulation of the special bond balance (energy) between Nitrogen and Oxygen found in -NO2/-NO3 and H2O2 compounds, which are part of almost all conventional, military and also liquid explosives.

HEDD1 works by creating a magnetic field that is specifically modulated through its internal container which houses a non explosive/ non radioactive reference source generated for explosive detection. HEDD1, in comparison to the previous generation models, also contains a specific Lithium battery that further enhances the magnetic field to make the device even more sensitive and user-friendly and now allows for static detection, which is especially helpful for detection scenarios at access points. The operator does not need to move but can detect explosives in persons, cars and objects, even while operating behind barriers during covert detection operations.

The only similarity between HEDD1 and ADE651 (or similar devices such as GT200, MOLE, Alpha6 etc.) is the antenna. The antenna is currently needed in the HEDD1 to point the direction towards explosives by applying the cross-bearing-method to detect the exact location of explosives. The antenna installed in the HEDD1, however, is unique and is specially produced for our devices. Even though the antenna is often criticized for making HEDD1 a rather analogue device, it allows the device to remain handheld and independent from a continuous power-supply, making possible real-time and stand-alone detection of explosives.

For this reason, HEDD1 is highly complementary to currently available detection methods based upon trace detection and other technologies. We are also working in cooperation with specialized research laboratories on sensor integration to digitize the device and remove the antenna, but this will take additional time and intensive R&D as the currently available technology is not capable of being integrated into handheld devices. In addition, we are also working on a stationary version that will be available in 2010 that will contain communication interfaces allowing for the seamless integration into electronic access control scenarios.

We have strong reason to believe that the reference-card based devices have been created by a group of people who initially tried to copy our technology but failed to reproduce the MED method. This is why they only copied the general shape and had to add another method, which they believed would be close to our approach. The result has been disastrous and they have created a massive scam, which is despicable.

Rumours about the malfunctioning of the ADE 651/ GT200 have circulated in several international markets for some time now. These rumours finally escalated when bombings in Iraq could not be prevented at ADE651-equipped checkpoints . The perpetrators and vehicles used in these attacks were able to transport explosives and weapons unhindered, as the ADE651 simply did not work. This obviously comes as no surprise.

As a consequence of the related skepticism about these types of devices that has been mounting for quite some time, we have had to overcome very serious, yet understandable, doubts from our clients. As a result, all of our recent sales, concluded either directly or through our local distributors, were based upon highly intensive demonstrations and audits. All demonstrations that we have conducted since 2005 have been successful, leading to our clients purchasing the device and its technology based upon these test results. The average detection rate has always been between 70-80% and with the further improvement of the HEDD1, which is based upon very intensive research and development, we have recently achieved demonstrations with 80-100% detection rates of hidden explosives, weapons and ammunition.

The last demonstration of the HEDD1 to European Special Police and EOD forces took place on 18th January 2010. This demonstration achieved a 100% detection rate and the original wording from this client’s review of our product is as follows:

- C4 M112
- TNT-block 125 gr.
- TNT-Block 250 gr.
- detonating cord PETN
- detonating cord (black powder)
- Yugoslavian hand grenade M75 PETN
- Glock 17 pistol with magazine
- SIG 228 assault rifle without magazine (detection was thus only possible through residual gun powder traces left from firing 4 months previously)

The above explosives have been positioned in misc. cases and hiding spots (up to 50 meters away) and have all been detected and located with the HEDD1 (reference available from unival group).
HEDD1 is therefore perfectly capable to improve security standards significantly if embedded into the correct scenarios. For this reason, our clients will be specially trained for use in the required scenarios in order to provide the best possible device for them. All unival distributors are widely trained on HEDD1 and our product portfolio in order to generate real values for our clients. This also includes a transparent, fair and adequate price strategy that is constantly reviewed by our sales department in order to prevent any potential malpractice.

Serial production of the HEDD1 is ISO 9001 certified and the device is in full compliance with CE regulations. In addition, HEDD1 has been tested and approved by TUV in 2010.

In early February 2010 we will begin testing, along with German authorities, and within this framework we will also certify the device in its function once it is determined which certification body is best suitable for our international clients.

We pledge that unival group will only supply reliable technologies that have been tested and approved by independent testing authorities. We are strongly committed to supporting our clients in the fight against global terror and will continue to strive for the best products and technologies.

----------------------------

Let us look at some of these claims

"The only similarity between HEDD1 and ADE651 (or similar devices such as GT200, MOLE, Alpha6 etc.) is the antenna."
That is because all of them are dowsing rods! The long antenna swings freely, and is not controlled by a motor, servo, actuator, or any other method. It is on a pivot, and will tilt easily with gravity or wind. This magnifies the slight hand movements of the user when they tilt their hand without noticing it.

All demonstrations that we have conducted since 2005 have been successful, leading to our clients purchasing the device and its technology based upon these test results. The HEDD1 is a new version of Sniffex and Sniffex Plus. Are they calling the test of the Sniffex in front of the US Navy explosives experts successful? The American representative of the company was the one doing the demonstration and admitted to the Dallas Morning News that it was a complete failure. The device was less accurate at finding a hidden explosive than flipping a coin or randomly guessing. A DEMONSTRATION IS NOT THE SAME AS A SCIENTIFIC DOUBLE BLIND TEST! A demonstration is ADVERTISING, to make the product look good and to sell it to the customer!

"we have recently achieved demonstrations with 80-100% detection rates of hidden explosives, weapons and ammunition." Prove it! In the tests by the US Navy, the improvement in finding hidden weapons over guessing was ZERO percent. Now you are saying it is 100 percent accurate?? Why not take Mr. James Randi up on his challenge and win the $1 million from him. That would be great publicity if your device really did work. But since it does not work, I will bet you will not take the challenge.

ADE651 Maker Arrested! Who Will Be Next?

2010-01-26T07:38:00.000-08:00

Head of ATSC 'bomb detector' company arrested on suspicion of fraud

he boss of a British company that has sold million of dollars worth of “bomb detectors” to Iraq’s security forces has been arrested on suspicion of fraud.

Jim McCormick, 53, the managing director of ATSC which is based in a former dairy in Sparkford, Somerset, has been questioned by detectives from Avon and Somerset Police after a complaint that he misrepresented the devices.

In November, Mr McCormick, a former Merseyside police officer, told The Times that his devices, which consist of little more than a telescopic antenna on a molded plastic handle, are able to detect explosives in the same way as a dowsing rod finds water.

Thousands of the devices are in use at military and police check points across Baghdad where they are used to search vehicles and pedestrians for explosives. In recent months hundreds of people have died after car bombers were able to penetrate the security cordon supposed to protect the centre of the Iraqi capital.

Colin Port, the Somerset and Avon Police Chief Constable, personally ordered the investigation. A force spokesman said in a statement: “We are conducting a criminal investigation, and as part of that, a 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud by misrepresentation. That man has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

“The force became aware of the existence of a piece of equipment around which there were many concerns, and in the interests of public safety, launched its investigation.

“It was reported to the Chief Constable Colin Port, through his role as the Association of Chief Police Officers’ lead on international development. He is chair of the International Police Assistance Board.

“Given the obvious sensitivities around this matter, the fact that an arrest has been made, and in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we cannot discuss it any further at this time.” The Iraqi Government has spent a total of $85 million (£52.7 million) buying 1,500 of the bomb detectors from ATSC.

Mr McCormick told The Times that his company sold the device known as the ADE-651 for $8,000 each, a total of £12 million. The balance went on training and on middlemen. He admitted that despite his claim to have invented the detector, the precise principle on which it works was still unexplained.

The American magician and sceptic James Randi has condemned the bomb detectors as a “blatant fraud” and challenged Mr McCormick to prove that the ADE-651 really can find explosives, with the offer of $1 million if he succeeds. The challenge has not been taken up. Senior US military sources have also expressed doubts that it could ever work.

The Times tested the flimsy device which has no electronic components and no working parts and was unable to detect a paper bag containing fireworks from a few feet away. ATSC’s sales literature claims the device can detect minute quantities of explosives at up to one kilometre, or three kilometres from the air.

Mr McCormick told The Times that his device was being criticised because of its crude appearance.

He added: “We have been dealing with doubters for ten years. One of the problems we have is that the machine does look a little primitive. We are working on a new model that has flashing lights.”

A police source said: “We are satisfied the bomb detectors don’t work.”

What Is Newer Than ADE 651 GT200 And H3 Tec? Is it HEDD1?

2010-01-14T18:36:00.000-08:00

Just when you were sad that the Sniffex device that was the inspirer of this blog had died for good, the Sniffex is born from the ashes as the HEDD1. The High Explosive Detection Device 1. What is it? A Sniffex with a battery stuck on it. You see, we complained that the Sniffex was too close to the definition of the worthless dowsing rods called "bogus explosive detection equipment" by the engineers at the National Institute of Justice. What is the correct response to that? Stop selling a device in a category that has led to the deaths of police and civilians around the world? Including hundreds in Iraq? No! The answer is to put a plaster on the problem and pretend it never existed. Now the Sniffex HEDD1 has a battery, so evidently the sellers hope we do not notice that it still cannot find explosives. They even changed the name to spell out exactly what they claim it should do. That also does not make the HEDD1 into a miracle explosive detection rod any more than the H3 Tec device, or the ADE651, or the GT200, or the Sniffex Plus, or the Sniffex, or the MOLE, or the Quadro Tracker.

Don't forget to push the reset button. Also do not forget to wear your baseball hat and jumpsuit. This clothing is critical for finding explosives. Without a hat, the Modulated Magnetic Field (MMF) might get in your eyes!

After the US Navy embarrassed Sniffex by testing the device and finding it worthless for finding bombs, they checked to see if it emitted a signal as claimed in the patent. It did not. Nothing. No signal. But without a battery or other power source, that is not surprising.

Now, HEDD1 says "The device creates no RF [radio frequency] signals, but creates MMF (Modulated Magnetic Field.)" We already know the makers of Sniffex have a dangerously low understanding of chemistry and physics, but how do they violate the laws of physics by separating electromagnetism? Are they using outdated ideas that electric fields are completely separate from magnetic fields, and that RF has nothing to do with electromagnetics? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_radiation These inventors need to go to their local school and take a class for physics so they can be as smart as a 15 year old.

If you want to see the advertisement from Unival and decide for yourself if the product will work this time or be as worthless as the Sniffex when tested, you can get it here:

HEDD1 brochure pdf

What Does The US Military Say About ADE651 Detectors?

2009-11-08T13:07:00.000-08:00

US general questions Iraq bomb detection kit

AFP

Created 08/11/2009 - 16:59

A top US army officer on Sunday said he did not have confidence in a hand-held device used by Iraq's security forces to detect explosives and stop suicide bombers passing through checkpoints.

Major General Robert Rowe told reporters in Baghdad he was at odds with Iraqi officials on whether the ADE 651, a pistol-shaped gadget made in Britain which uses an antenna and is known as the "magic wand," worked.

"We do not agree on the technical capability of the device that is used here widely by the Iraqi forces," said Rowe, naming the chief of the interior ministry's directorate for combating explosives Major General Jihad al-Jabiri.

Security at checkpoints is especially sensitive in the wake of twin bombings at government offices on October 25 which killed 153 people and wounded 500. The attacks were claimed by a group linked to Al-Qaeda.
Rowe, director of the US army's training and advisory mission in Iraq, was quoted Tuesday in a New York Times report as saying: "I have no confidence that these work," when talking about the ADE 651.

Jabiri in the same article defended the gadget, reputed to cost between 16,500 and 60,000 dollars each and used at hundreds of checkpoints, and said "whether it's magic or scientific, what I care about is it detects bombs."

However Rowe, who on a previous tour of Iraq served as an infantry brigade commander, said he preferred more traditional methods used to spot explosives.

"I am unaware and we have not been able to find for our forces an assured, highly probable technological solution that allows us to detect explosive devices," he said.

"From a distance the best capability is highly trained soldiers and policemen attempting to recognise habits that might give you a reason to look closer. Much like when you go to an airport and your briefcase is swabbed."
He also said sniffer dogs, baggage screening machines, vehicle scanners and closed circuit television systems could be used more effectively.

Will H3 Tec Be The Next To Trick The Military And Police? And what Is Nano Ionic Resonance?

2009-11-06T12:10:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you wrap a dowsing rod with a metal case? An easy way to find Gold? Oil? Drugs? Explosives? Landmines? No, you get H3 Tec's glorified metal stick inside a metal case. The inventor apparently was inspired by Star Trek into building his own "tricorder." The result is as much science fiction fantasy as the show.

H3 Tec's own literature and advertising show the device in action, together with amusingly old fashioned open air dowsing rods. The good old days when you could dowse with a tree limb or a bent piece of wire or coat hanger. Now dowsing rods are so heavy, expensive, and need batteries!

The new H3 Tec lets you snap on a real GPS device, turn some knobs, plug in 9 volt battery cells and pretend you are Captain Kirk searching for gold on an alien planet. Dowsing has a long history in the search for gold and oil, and has never once been proven to work.

"Further testing of dowsing...would be a misuse of public funds." — U.S. Geological Survey report, 1917"

Ninety years later, it is more true than ever. But with amateur gold hunters, all that is lost is money and time.

When the military and police units of the world are tricked into buying them, people die. And when they are used by these agencies to look for drugs, evidence, or weapons, innocent people may go to jail for no reason. These rods operate on exactly the same principle as the Ouija Board game. Would you let the police kick down your door because a Ouija board told them you had taken or sold drugs? Would you trust a board game to tell you where a real bomb was hidden by a terrorist? Then why trust a freely swinging metal rod instead? What does the H3 Tec do that Sniffex did not? Or ADE 651? Or the GT 200?

As the H3 Tec video shows, just because you can make nice animated videos of atoms and put together scientific words like "nano ionic resonance" does not mean you have an understanding of chemistry or physics.

They claim they have invented a device that will detect ANY element, at ranges up to 10 miles, including miles under water. That would be an almost miraculous product. What did the US Department of Justice say about bomb detectors that seemed too good to be true? - "Do Not Buy Bogus Explosives Detection Equipment"!!

H3 Tec took their video off of YouTube after we linked to it, but you can still see it on their site!
H3 Tec detector video

I hope the americans did not spend money to buy these, and even more that they are not actually in use in the middle east as claimed by H3 Tec, LLC.

When Will Iraq Listen To James Randi And Military Experts About ADE651?

2009-11-04T03:47:00.000-08:00

"A device used by Iraqi forces to detect bombs and other weapons at checkpoints has been called useless by the American military." -NYTimes

Thanks to information provided by the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) and the US Military-

The New York Times Agrees:

Iraq Swears by Bomb Detector U.S. Sees as Useless

By ROD NORDLAND

Published: November 3, 2009

BAGHDAD — Despite major bombings that have rattled the nation, and fears of rising violence as American troops withdraw, Iraq’s security forces have been relying on a device to detect bombs and weapons that the United States military and technical experts say is useless.

The small hand-held wand, with a telescopic antenna on a swivel, is being used at hundreds of checkpoints in Iraq. But the device works “on the same principle as a Ouija board” — the power of suggestion — said a retired United States Air Force officer, Lt. Col. Hal Bidlack, who described the wand as nothing more than an explosives divining rod.

Still, the Iraqi government has purchased more than 1,500 of the devices, known as the ADE 651, at costs from $16,500 to $60,000 each. Nearly every police checkpoint, and many Iraqi military checkpoints, have one of the devices, which are now normally used in place of physical inspections of vehicles.

With violence dropping in the past two years, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki has taken down blast walls along dozens of streets, and he contends that Iraqis will safeguard the nation as American troops leave.
But the recent bombings of government buildings here have underscored how precarious Iraq remains, especially with the coming parliamentary elections and the violence expected to accompany them.

The suicide bombers who managed to get two tons of explosives into downtown Baghdad on Oct. 25, killing 155 people and destroying three ministries, had to pass at least one checkpoint where the ADE 651 is typically deployed, judging from surveillance videos released by Baghdad’s provincial governor. The American military does not use the devices. “I don’t believe there’s a magic wand that can detect explosives,” said Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe Jr., who oversees Iraqi police training for the American military. “If there was, we would all be using it. I have no confidence that these work.”

The Iraqis, however, believe passionately in them. “Whether it’s magic or scientific, what I care about is it detects bombs,” said Maj. Gen. Jehad al-Jabiri, head of the Ministry of the Interior’s General Directorate for Combating Explosives.

Dale Murray, head of the National Explosive Engineering Sciences Security Center at Sandia Labs, which does testing for the Department of Defense, said the center had “tested several devices in this category, and none have ever performed better than random chance.”

The Justice Department has warned against buying a variety of products that claim to detect explosives at a distance with a portable device. Normal remote explosives detection machinery, often employed in airports, weighs tons and costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. The ADE 651’s clients are mostly in developing countries; no major country’s military or police force is a customer, according to the manufacturer.

“I don’t care about Sandia or the Department of Justice or any of them,” General Jabiri said. “I know more about this issue than the Americans do. In fact, I know more about bombs than anyone in the world.”

He attributed the decrease in bombings in Baghdad since 2007 to the use of the wands at checkpoints. American military officials credit the surge in American forces, as well as the Awakening movement, in which Iraqi insurgents turned against Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, for the decrease.

Aqeel al-Turaihi, the inspector general for the Ministry of the Interior, reported that the ministry bought 800 of the devices from a company called ATSC (UK) Ltd. for $32 million in 2008, and an unspecified larger quantity for $53 million. Mr. Turaihi said Iraqi officials paid up to $60,000 apiece, when the wands could be purchased for as little as $18,500. He said he had begun an investigation into the no-bid contracts with ATSC.

Jim Mitchell, the head of ATSC, based in London, did not return calls for comment.
The Baghdad Operations Command announced Tuesday that it had purchased an additional 100 detection devices, but General Rowe said five to eight bomb-sniffing dogs could be purchased for $60,000, with provable results.

Checking cars with dogs, however, is a slow process, whereas the wands take only a few seconds per vehicle. “Can you imagine dogs at all 400 checkpoints in Baghdad?” General Jabiri said. “The city would be a zoo.”

Speed is not the only issue. Colonel Bidlack said, “When they say they are selling you something that will save your son or daughter on a patrol, they’ve crossed an insupportable line into moral depravity.”

Last year, the James Randi Educational Foundation, an organization seeking to debunk claims of the paranormal, publicly offered ATSC $1 million if it could pass a scientific test proving that the device could detect explosives. Mr. Randi said no one from the company had taken up the offer.

ATSC’s promotional material claims that its device can find guns, ammunition, drugs, truffles, human bodies and even contraband ivory at distances up to a kilometer, underground, through walls, underwater or even from airplanes three miles high. The device works on “electrostatic magnetic ion attraction,” ATSC says.
To detect materials, the operator puts an array of plastic-coated cardboard cards with bar codes into a holder connected to the wand by a cable. “It would be laughable,” Colonel Bidlack said, “except someone down the street from you is counting on this to keep bombs off the streets.”

Proponents of the wand often argue that errors stem from the human operator, who they say must be rested, with a steady pulse and body temperature, before using the device.

Then the operator must walk in place a few moments to “charge” the device, since it has no battery or other power source, and walk with the wand at right angles to the body. If there are explosives or drugs to the operator’s left, the wand is supposed to swivel to the operator’s left and point at them.

If, as often happens, no explosives or weapons are found, the police may blame a false positive on other things found in the car, like perfume, air fresheners or gold fillings in the driver’s teeth.

On Tuesday, a guard and a driver for The New York Times, both licensed to carry firearms, drove through nine police checkpoints that were using the device. None of the checkpoint guards detected the two AK-47 rifles and ammunition inside the vehicle.

During an interview on Tuesday, General Jabiri challenged a Times reporter to test the ADE 651, placing a grenade and a machine pistol in plain view in his office. Despite two attempts, the wand did not detect the weapons when used by the reporter but did so each time it was used by a policeman.
“You need more training,” the general said.

Riyadh Mohammed contributed reporting.

"The sensor device, known as the ADE 651, from $16,500 to $60,000 each. Iraq has bought more than 1,500 of the devices."

Source New York Times
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bravo to the New York Times for exposing this scam, and to the James Randi Educational Foundation for providing evidence and references for the article!

When Will Other News Agencies Follow The Lead Of Scoup And The Asian Human Rights Commission?

2009-11-02T14:12:00.000-08:00

Bravo to the Asian Human Rights Commission for issuing a press release about the danger presented by the use of the GT-200 Molecular Detector in Thailand and other parts of Asia. And Thank You to Scoup.co.nz for printing the article!

Faulty Bomb Detection in Thailand

Tuesday, 3 November 2009, 9:33 am

Press Release: Asian Human Rights Commission

A Statement from Working Group on Justice for Peace (WGJP) forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission

2 November 2009

The device known as GT200 has been used by the Thai military to detect explosive materials and has drawn greater controversy with time as serious doubts of its effectiveness amount among human rights organizations, civil society, and the scientific community.

GT200 is widely used by the Thai Army throughout the southern border provinces as an explosive substance detector with more than 200 devices circulating among the military forces. Other agencies using the device are the Directorate of Armament under the Airforce, the Naval Ordnance Department, the Navy, the Royal Thai Police, the Central Institution of Forensic Science under the MOJ, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, and the Provincial Electricity Authority.

The device consists of 3 main components: the handling machine, the antenna and several sensor cards which need to be inserted in the device and can be adjusted to detect a variety of substances. It is claimed that the device is able to detect most explosive and narcotics substances as well as other substances such as humans, gold, ivory, poison, currency and tobacco.

The device is being manufactured by Global Technical Ltd., in Kent, UK (http://www.globaltechincal.co.uk) and distributed throughout Southeast Asia by Electronic K9 Singapore Private Limited., from Singapore (http://www.e-k9.net) and in Thailand by Avia Satcom Co., Ltd. The cost per device is approximately 900,000 THB.

GT200 is considered an important device by the security forces in their counter-insurgency operations to help them detect bomb-making substances in the southern border provinces of Thailand. However, on several occasions the device is known to have shown false-negative and false-positive results which then lead to serious damages to the lives and freedoms of the local population as well as security forces.

Recently, the GT200 showed false negative results on 6 October 2009 at a bombing near Merlin Hotel, Sungai-Kolok district, Narathiwat province which caused one death and several injuries, as well as on 19 October 2009 during a bombing at the Pimonchai market, Muang district, Yala. During these two incidents, officials were called beforehand to check a car and motorcycle under suspicion. The device was not able to detect any dangerous substances. The bombs exploded a few minutes after the examinations.

Last year, on 7 November 2008, three border patrol police officers were killed when a bomb exploded as they were investigating a suspicious object in Panareh district, Pattani. Again, GT200 was used to detect the bomb substance but the device showed negative results.

The device is also known to show false positive results. A villager, an active campaigner on the Tak Bai issue, informed that GT200 was used to check her house at which time the device incriminated the top of a coconut tree. One of the soldiers found a plastic bag with vegetable oil inside. Recently, at a raid at Saengtham Islam Vittaya School, Bachao district, Narathiwat on 12 October 2009, teachers and students from a private Islamic school were invited for questioning when the device pointed them out as carriers of explosive substances. Moreover, the cases of the death in detention of Imam Yapa Kaseng as well as the 4-month vocational training camps which was brought to court in late 2007 were also a result of incrimination by GT200. The results of the device were used as evidence to detain hundreds of people.

The Army and those in favor of the device claim that the effectiveness of the device depends on the knowledge and physical readiness of the user. They claim that due to the user being exhausted or not trained well, the device might not work correctly.

The operation of the device is causing a lot of suspicion among scientists in Thailand for several reasons. According to them, the procedure of finding suspicious objects is not based on a reliable scientific method. Besides, GT200 is not being used by credible international organizations. The manufacturer claims that it is used in the UK and the Netherlands Armies but both countries have denied this. A similar device with the trading name MOLE had been tested by US authorities who concluded that the device was fraudulent and prepared to sue the company. MOLE is believed to be a predecessor of GT200 (other names such as Sniffex, Squard, etc. have also been used for similar products).

The following concerns were raised by the scientific community regarding the use of GT200:

1) The reading device is ambiguous and subjective. There is no clear indicator. The result reading is vague (just a direction or area). Therefore, during searches of larges spaces, gunpowder or explosive elements can always be detected in a war zone; drugs could always be found at a border checkpoint.

2) It is vague enough to excuse the authorities’ ineffectiveness in operations. Due to the extreme sensitivity of GT200, in the case of a false positive error (device says yes, but nothing found), authorities can claim that the object of interest was hidden or covered, or the scene was badly contaminated. If a false negative result turns out, they are able to blame contamination or the operator.

3) Making a comparison to Quija Boards, scientists point out that the operator’s experience and knowledge can affect the outcome of the reading, either voluntarily or involuntary. Known as an ideomotor effect, people make motions unconsciously as in reflexive responses to pain, and this in then can influence the reading of the device.

4) To test this kind of bias-prone device, a testing method called double-blind testing is needed where the operator must not know the position of the hidden sample nor have been in contact with someone who does. The test must be conducted several times as to eliminate the probability of chance. One US government agency who tested this device found that only in 6 out of 20 tests the results were correct. However, it is believed that the security forces in Thailand are not testing this device according to this scientific method.

The purchase of this device has been made under the category of ‘secret budget’ which gives unaccountable authority to the Thai Military without need of approval from Parliament. Falling under national security requirements, the Military does not need to justify the purchase. WGJP received information that the Army has planned to purchase another 222 GT200 devices to be used for newly established troops located in Pattani. Knowing of the inaccuracy and sensitivity of the device, putting this device into the hands of inexperienced officers, will only result in further grievances.

While WGJP certainly welcomes the professionalization of military operations using highly effective technology in order to combat violence and crime, the GT200 should no longer be used in their operations due to its inaccuracy and lack of proper handling. Not only does it fail to save lives, but it is causing serious human rights violations as arrests are made based on evidence only stemming from this device. For these reasons, WGJP requests the Thai authorities:

1. To arrange for a scientific testing method called double-blind testing in order to test the accuracy of the device and prove its accuracy and effectiveness. Civil society and scientists must be able to witness the testing and have access to results.

2. To not rely on the faulty GT200 device in their detection of explosive substances as it puts the lives of the population as well as security forces at greater risk.

3. To refrain from using the GT200 as sole evidence and justification for arrests.

4. To reform its armament purchase policy to include greater transparency and accountability. The purchase of weapons, armaments, etc must entail a transparent process with checks and balances and access to information by the greater public.

ENDS

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Comment: If the government of Thailand wants to prove the device works, they can test it as part of the challenge by American stage magician James Randi and his education foundation. As a stage magician, he knows how con artists trick people and how people can trick themselves with illusions like the ideomotor effect. Mr. Randi has offered the Iraqi military to award them the $1 million prize offered by the foundation if they can show any of their ADE651, Alpha 6, GT-200, and Sniffex dowsing rods work.

Is Thailand Still Fighting Terrorists With The GT-200 Detector Associated With The Death Of 4 Thailand Citizens?

2009-11-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

"Tracking down the bombing mastermind"

As soon as Pornthip gave her statements in the court in KL on Teoh Beng Hock's case, she took the next available flight to Bangkok, packed some simple luggage, and rushed to the turbulent South on military aircraft.

Bombing attacks were launched again in the southern part of the country known for chronic religious conflicts, and Pornthip had to rush there to collect evidences related to the bombings in order to help the police track down the mastermind.

On 26 October, a policeman was killed while another injured during a gunfight with some suspcious figures at a Muslim hamlet in Yarang district. A man suspected of involvement in a string of criminal acts also perished in the crossfire.

This was yet another incident believed to be related to the bombings in southern Thailand.

Since the first episode of violence broke out in January 2004, the situation has never improved to this day, and has instead deteriorated. According to unofficial statistics, at least 3,900 lives have so far been claimed by violent assaults in southern Thailand. Buddhists, Muslims, teachers, policemen and even estate workers have not been spared.

When Pornthip rushed in from Bangkok on 27 October, she was followed by Guang Ming Daily executive editor Tan Soon Keat and a photographer.

Taking the lead in collection of evidences

Intelligence Unit personnel and policemen visited the site on the third day after the incident, and proceeded to the four provinces in the south on a fact-finding mission.

Investigations were carried out from 8.00 a.m. to 4.40 p.m. at a few suspicious residential units as well as vacant lands.

Collection of evidences was led by Dr Pornthip herself with the assistance from the IU personnel and local policemen. Among the devices employed were GT200 long-distance explosive/narcotic detector, portable explosive detector, gloves necessary for smear tests, etc.

After the operation, all collected samples were sent to the IU administrative centre at Pattani camp for further analyses.

Searching for solutions

Forensics is a kind of science in which pathologists and forensic doctors make logical deductions from their DNA findings in a bid to get the solutions for unresolved criminal cases. Such scientific deductions begin with the collection of apparent and easily visible evidences such as splinters, debris, fingerprints, teeth and blood stains.

During the exclusive interview with Pornthip Rojanasunan, Guang Ming Daily followed her deep into the troubled South and witnessed how she moved about swifty among several predominantly Muslim villages looking for clues for a string of violent outbreaks in the region.

During the three-day, 72-hour expedition, we followed Pornthip and a large team of armed military policemen to tread the soil of southern Thailand, where violent outbursts and assaults could erupt anytime.

Thanks to the mysterious death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, Malaysians get to know this fashion-conscious legendary woman.

This exclusive interview with Pornthip Rojanasunan was conducted at the forensic administrative centre in Pattani.

We could feel the madness outside the building, but cordoned off with a thick wall from external turbulence, we have seen another side of Pornthip many are unaware of. (Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Guang Ming Daily)

Source of article mysinchew.com

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The people of Thailand need to warn their police and military not to use these so-called detector that have never been proven to work. They cannot pass a test to find a sample hidden by a person who is not observing the test if the bomb is hidden in one of a group of identical containers. How then can it find a bomb on one of many motor bikes?

Will Sniffex Ever Die? How Is Sniffex Still In Business?

2009-10-19T04:42:00.000-07:00

SNIFFEX is back as the SNIFFEX PLUS!!!

Most amusing to us is the fact they used the criticism of this blog to fix some of their blatant mistakes in prior adverting.

From the sales manual:

"Sniffex Plus - Handheld Explosives Detection Device

unival security is the exclusive global distributor for SNIFFEX PLUS, a unique handheld explosive detect on device."

Comment - As this page shows, many other bogus products work the same way, it is hardly unique. Second, is it any surprise Unival Security is the exclusive dealer after the US government arrested the US distributors of the Sniffex? And the US Navy made a mockery of the device, and said they got "ripped off" by buying them? How many companies would compete to be the next charged with fraud or responsible for the deaths of users of the product?

Below is a photo from the brochure taken from the instructional video manual. Note that in the original brochure the target is circled in red. This test is not, blind, much less double-blind. In a blind test, the Sniffex user would not know the location of the sample. However, scientists view that kind of testing as invalid since the observer who hid the sample may give away clues based on body language. Also, using a parking garage is not a good place to hide a sample for the testing since the cars are not the same. Identical packages should be used to conceal the sample and the person hiding the sample should leave the area.

This is the best picture of all. It has been the example of foolish use of the Sniffex, when the Estonian police used it to secure an area during a visit by US President Bush. This was an embarrassment to the government of Estonia and the US Secret Service. Yet Sniffex is using it in a sales pamphlet.

The manual finally switched to say the device is looking for Nitro groups instead of Nitrous Oxide. Of course, they only did this after this blog mocked them for their complete lack of chemistry knowledge. Now they say they can also locate TATP, which is a completely different category of explosives.

When describing how the device works, it just says the Sniffex Plus has to move, but does not say why it has to be held by a person. A bomb detection robot would be much safer, but since bomb detection robots are not generally susceptible to the ideomotor effect needed for dowsing, they insist a person hold the Sniffex.

The proud new owner of the rights to sell Sniffex Plus worldwide is:

unival group of companies

unival security / SNIFFEX EUROPE

Am Hofgarten 4

53113 Bonn

Germany

+49 228 688 36 57

fax +49 228 688 36 59

info@sniffex-eu.com

And here is a dowser failing like always when put to the test. Is dowsing a matter of life and death? Ask the 4 people killed in Thailand when the GT-200 dowsing rod failed.

What Does It Look Like When Police Using GT200 Dowsing Rods Are Killed By Terrorists With Explosives?

2009-10-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

The GT200 Molecular Detector sold by Global Technical did not indicate any explosives were present. What do you think?

Still photos taken from link on Pantip forum, from the site of roonfoto. Please click here for his blog with excellent photos of Thailand.

More about GT200 and other frauds on the Pantip forum.

Still Not Sure The Government in Thailand Uses Sniffex and GT200 Dowsing Rods?

2009-10-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

More great photos from the Roonfoto blog from Thailand

Sniffex:

Made by TASC in Bulgaria, failed miserably in military testing, and re-named the Sniffex Plus. Still a dowsing rod that has never passed a double-blind test.

GT200 Molecular Detector from Global Technical:

After the arrests by the FBI for the Quadro Tracker, the company changed names and moved to England. The MOLE tracker by Global Technical was also tested and failed. Why did they change the product name again to Alpha 6? And then to GT200?

A great article in Thai about the GT-200 GT200 อุปกรณ์ตรวจหาวัตถุระเบิดและสารอื่นๆ .pdf

How Do I Build My Own GT-200, ADE651, Sniffex Plus, or Alpha 6?

2009-10-12T07:52:00.000-07:00

Our friend from the Lonjho blog from Mexico has posted a very useful instructional video on how you can save thousands of dollars by making your own detector. While this video is funny, it is EXACTLY the same way the GT-200, Sniffex, Alpha 6, ADE651, and all of these other detection rods work.

If you want to know more about GT-200 and its use in Mexico or you speak Spanish, check out his blog.

Sadly, the video below is not a joke. Real lives are at risk.

When Will Thailand Investigate The Sellers Of GT200 Detectors For Fraud?

2009-10-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

Bangkok Post starts to question the effectiveness of the GT-200 Molecular Detector, but still does not realize the device is a complete fraud. They assume it must work some of the time, when in fact it is worthless. As these deaths show, they are worse than worthless, they have led to 4 people being killed in Thailand.

Human error or the device that fails?

Published: 12/10/2009 at 12:52 PM

The army and the police have relied heavily on GT-200 bomb detectors in their fight against the militants in the far South, but the equipment's failure to detect the recent car bomb in Sungai Kolok on Oct 6, and several previous failures, raised serious doubts about its effectiveness, the users' training, and its potential for human rights violations.

The failure of the GT-200 bomb detection device to detect a huge car bomb which exploded in Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat on October 6 has raised a big question mark in the minds of many residents there about the effectiveness of the device or the ability of the device operators.

One person was killed and more than 300 injured in the Oct 6 bomb blast, believed to be detonated with a mobile phone by a militant hiding near the vehicle and its load of explosives.

IA shopkeeper said he had alerted authorities, suggesting they a car parked opposite the Merlin hotel in Sungai Kolok after he became suspicious of the men who had just left the vehicle

A bomb detection squad later arrived at the scene and searched the area with the help of GT-200 devices, which detected nothing suspicious. Shortly afterwards, the car exploded.

Khunying Porntip Rojanasunant, director of the Forensic Science Institute of the Justice Ministry and an expert in the use ogf the GT-200, admitted that there is a 50-50 per cent chance it could fail to detect explosives. It depended on the state of the operator and whether the correct memory card was properly inserted or not, Issara news agency of the Thai Journalists Association reported.

She said there was only a slim chance of a mistake in the card's insertion, and a greater possibility that the person using it could be tired, which could affect the effectiveness of the device.

Khunying Porntip’s theory appears to corroborate the opinion of a police bomb demolition expert in Narathiwat, Saen Varongkapaisit who also said that any physical weakness of the operator could affect the equipment.

He also noted that the failure of the device to detect the car bomb in Sungai Kolok might be attributable to the area where the the rigged car was parked. The road was narrow and it was possible the device was held too close.

To be effective, it must be more than three metres from the targeted object, Saen said.

It was also possible that human error was at fault, and that those who were trained in the handling of the device were commissioned officers. In actual practice they were often not the ones who actually operate the devices in the field, but non-commissioned officers who were not properly trained, he said.

Angkhana Nilapaichit, widow of missing human rights lawyer Somchai, was openly sceptical about the GT-200 when she spoke with Issara news agency.

She cited a number of mistakes made by the device and raised concerna about the potential threat to human rights posed by its use as an accepted part of the investigation process in the strife-torn deep South.

The gave examples: during a search of a woman’s house in Tak Bai district of Narathiwat, the GT-200's antenna pointed to the top of a coconut tree, prompting someone to climb up the tree where an old plastic bag containing coconut oil residue was found; another search of a temple in Nong Chik district of Pattani saw the device point to a pot of curry.

The device's failure to detect explosives was most evident in the explosion of a bomb hidden under the bodies of Kosol Kasemsook and his wife Pongsri, who were shot dead by militants in Kok Po district of Pattani.

Security officials who arrived to investigate the murder scanned the area with a GT-200, but the device failed to detect any explosive materials. When they moved the bodies the bomb went off.

Mrs Angkana said the authorities always insisted there was nothing wrong with the GT-200 devices, but none of them could explain why they had failed on various occasions.

But her worst concern was who should be held accountable if the device makes a mistake and someone is incarcerated as a result of the error.

A product of Global Technical of the United Kingdom, the GT-200 is a remote substance detection system which was designed to search large areas and then reduced to use in small locations.

The device can search for a range of pre-programmed drugs and explosives in one operation. But it should be used as a first indication only, and conventional methods should always be used to confirm the result.

Will the GT200 Detector Death Toll Rise Yet Again?

2009-10-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Death toll where the GT-200 Molecular Detector failed to find the explosives is up to 4 people killed.

Thailand's Deputy PM Suthep is angry. Based on the information provided by Global Technical, the police think the GT-200 Detector failed because of a "lack of static electricity" in the user. Like all dowsing rods, the GT200 has to be held or touched by a person. To explain this fact, most sellers claim there is some relationship between the rod and the person's static electric field, magnetic field, or gravity. None of these claims has ever been proven, and the sellers claim their devices cannot be tested. Sadly for these 4 people, the civilian in this attack and the 3 police killed earlier this year, the terrorist bombs show the devices CAN be tested, and have failed.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Najib plans to join PM in tour of South

Suthep angry detector failed to locate bomb

Published: 8/10/2009 at 12:00 AM

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is expected to join Abhisit Vejjajiva on a tour of southern border provinces for a first-hand look at the troubled area.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday said Mr Najib was keen on a visit, which he would arrange as soon as possible.

He wanted to inspect the border provinces after twin bomb attacks on Tuesday in Narathiwat left four people dead.

Assailants fired on patrons and hurled a home-made bomb at three roadside restaurants in Sungai Kolok. Three were killed and 12 people were injured in the attacks about noon.

In a separate attack a few hours later, a car bomb was detonated opposite the Merlin Hotel in Sungai Kolok near a police station, killing one person and wounding many more.

Two people died in the attacks initially, but the death toll rose to four after two more victims died of their injuries overnight.

Mr Suthep said Mr Abhisit had discussed southern issues with Mr Najib during his recent visit to Malaysia.

Mr Najib had said he would like to inspect the far South with Mr Abhisit.

Insurgents with dual nationality are thought to take shelter across the border in Malaysia after launching attacks.

Mr Suthep, who supervises national security, asked why the car bomb in Sungai Kolok could not have been defused when security authorities knew a suspicious vehicle had been left in the area.

He said security officers used a bomb detector to scan the vehicle carrying the explosive but the device did not set off an alarm.

Local authorities have been ordered to step up security and Mr Suthep would visit the region on Monday. PM's Office Minister Virachai Virameteekul will leave for the South today.

In the car bomb attack, officials found explosives had been stuffed inside a 50-kilogramme gas cylinder placed inside a silver Honda City car.

The bomb was detonated remotely. The car, registered in Yala, was owned by GE Capital Auto Lease Co and leased to Abdulgareem Jehma, 30, from Pattani.

Investigators have found more than 10 witnesses who say they saw at least six men get out of the car before the blast.

Police believe some suspects stayed at the scene after the blast to take pictures of the damage on a cellphone camera.

The six surveillance cameras in the area were damaged by lightning in the past week so did not record any footage of the blast.

Lt Gen Kasikorn Khirisri, commander of a combined force of civil servants, police and soldiers, said in Pattani yesterday the GT200 bomb detector used in Sungai Kolok might have malfunctioned.

How well a detector works depends on the static electricity stored in the body of its user.

If the person using the detector is feeling weak physically, his static electricity will be down and weaken the effectiveness of the device.

In Pattani yesterday about 10am, Ahama Samae, a 47-year-old assistant village head in Ban Ton San, was shot dead while buying latex on Ban Ton San-Ban Khlong Sai road in tambon Mae Lan.

How High Will The Death Count Go For The GT200 Detector?

2009-10-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

In Thailand, another person was killed because of a bomb undetected by these dowsing rods. How many more people must die?

Acting police chief visits South after new bombings
YALA, Oct 8 (TNA) - Acting National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Patheep Tanprasert visited Thailand’s southern border provinces on Thursday after fresh bomb attacks in Narathiwat to give moral support to police posted there and to follow up measures to reduce violence in the region.
Gen Patheep told reporters after meeting with officers at the Police Operations Centre of the Southern Border Provinces in Yala that his mission now is to give moral support to the police who work in the restive region and to follow up the situation and to assess the measures to ease violent attacks in the border provinces.
Presumed insurgents on Tuesday fired on patrons and hurled a homemade explosive at a roadside food shop in Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat before fleeing on their motorcycle, killing two people and wounding a dozen others.
On the same day, a car bomb exploded in front of a local hotel, killing one person and wounding many.
Gen Patheep said he will gather information to adjust the response and prevent futrure insurgent attacks.
As for an explosive-detection device, called the GT-200, that malfunctioned in detecting bombs and preventing an attack, the police chief said he would discuss with technicians, but needed more information before commenting.
If the officials could identify the cause of the problem, it could be solved, he added.
A court on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for four suspected insurgents in connection with Tuesday's multiple bomb attacks in the restive southern province of Narathiwat.
Local police identified the four suspects as Muhammad Rawi Awae, Ilhas Nima, Rosalan Gubaru and Muhammad Sakari Sising.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban also said on Wednesday he will visit the restive south on Monday to follow up on responses to the violence. (TNA)
General News : Last Update : 11:08:14 8 October 2009 (GMT+7:00)

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=12191

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"If the officials could identify the cause of the problem, it could be solved, he added."

The cause of the problem is that the GT-200 is derived from the Quadro Tracker dowsing rod scam from 15 years ago. The solution is to stop using them, and prosecute the sellers for fraud and negligent homicide. INNOCENT CIVILIANS, POLICE AND MILITARY PERSONNEL ARE DYING BECAUSE OF THESE PRODUCTS THAT CANNOT DETECT EXPLOSIVES!

Update: Forum posters and bloggers in Thailand have been spreading the word about this danger, but some of the responses show normal problem solving does not work in this case. People ask, "what went wrong with the detectors? Broken antennas? stolen or broken molecular chips? Lack of training?" All of these falsely assume a GT-200 ever worked. It has not. Instead, the seller relies on an illusion or magic trick to let the buyer convince himself it works. Every man trusts his brain not to lie to him, but that is exactly how magic tricks work.

You might watch a magician on stage pull a rabbit out of a hat, but if you buy the hat from him, you cannot keep pulling out rabbits. The dowsing rod is more subtle, and the magician lets you hold the hat so you think there is no possible way for your brain to trick itself but it does.

Say you buy the hat and take it home. No more rabbits. You go through the steps of what went wrong. Maybe the hat you received was defective. Maybe it ran out of rabbits. Eventually you will learn pulling the rabbit out of the hat when the salesman let you do it was just a magic trick where you thought you understood what was happening, but it was an illusion

The sales demonstration for the GT-200, ADE651, Alpha 6, H3 Tec, HEDD1, or Sniffex Plus is the same. The salesman hands a dowsing rod to an experienced police or military officer and tells him to find the hidden sample. If you find it on the first try based on your experience, you will think the rod works. If it takes you a few tries, the salesman will say, "See! Now you have the ability yourself. What skill you have!" making you think the rod found the sample. However, just like rabbits do not magically come out of hats, dowsing rods do not find explosives, drugs, or anything else. The GT-200 Molecular Detector, ADE651, Sniffex Plus, Alpha 6, Quadro Tracker, MOLE, Scandec, PSD-22, and all other of these are the same. The ability to find hidden objects is just an illusion.

When Will USA Today Stop Repeating The Unproven Claims Of GT-200?

2009-10-08T15:33:00.000-07:00

Police step up in Mexico's drug wars

Updated 9/17/2009
By Chris Hawley, USA TODAY

"Responding to another call, Espinosa's crew takes up positions behind an army platoon clustered around a warehouse. Federal detectives are breaking open the lock.
Inside, the soldiers discover magazines full of AK-47 bullets scattered across a patio. In the rooms beyond are hundreds of sacks and 55-gallon drums containing chemicals used for making methamphetamines.
It's a major find — but the Mexican military claims credit. Lt. Col. Oswaldo Bejar boasts that his unit has made five busts in eight days in Uruapan, many of them using a chemical-sniffing device known as a GT-200"

.http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-09-16-mexico-drug-war_N.htm

USA TODAY! Please research the GT-200 Molecular Detector before repeating the statement it is a chemical sniffing device. It is not. It is a dowsing rod, and has never been proven to work. Give it to an independent laboratory for a double blind test. It will fail. Police and citizens are dying because of the GT-200 in Thailand. When will the first death happen in Mexico due to this scam? Are there not enough people dying already in the drug wars?

Why Does Not NPR Truely Expose This Scam?

2009-09-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

Portable Bomb Detector Prompts Debate In Iraq

Iraqi authorities have spent millions of dollars to outfit checkpoints around the country with a simple tool they hope will result in fewer roadside bombings: a hand-held plastic grip with what looks like a transistor radio antenna attached. The curious gadget is supposed to sniff out explosive materials.

While Iraqi security forces say the device is effective, U.S. military experts suspect it is nothing more than a charade.

At nearly every one of the many roadside checkpoints in the country, Iraqi soldiers or policemen are using the electronic sniffer.

A short radio antenna on a swivel sticks out horizontally from a plastic gun grip. If a car smells fishy — or, more aptly, dynamite-y — the antenna swivels and points to it, like a superstitious well-digger's divining rod.

Many U.S. officials say the science is about as sound as searching for groundwater with a stick. But in Baghdad, the policemen swear by it.

"One day, the commander called me to check a suspicious car, and the machine read 'Dynamite and C-4.' I checked it twice more, and then we called the bomb squad, and they discovered that the car carried explosives," one policeman at a checkpoint in central Baghdad says.

Police officer Husam Muhammad says using the device properly is more of an art than a science, and he demonstrates how to walk with a steady rocking march, holding the sniffer out ahead of him.

"If we are tense, the device doesn't work correctly. I start slow, and relax my body, and I try to clear my mind," he says.

But critics of the device say it simply doesn't work — no matter what the state of mind of the operator. One American expert in Baghdad compared the machine with a Ouija board but wouldn't comment on the record. A U.S. Navy investigation exposed a similar device made by a company called Sniffex as a sham.

But the head of Baghdad's bomb squad, Gen. Jihad al-Jaberi, says the devices have performed well and saved many lives

Jaberi says it's not true that perfume and soap set off the devices. He resents the fact that Americans deride the devices — which are also used elsewhere in the Middle East — as operating by "magic."

The U.S. military command that oversees training and advice to Iraq would not comment for this story. But the antenna devices are not seen anywhere near American installations in Iraq, which rely on dogs to sniff out explosive materials.

Even among Iraqis, there is some recognition of the need to upgrade equipment, according to Adnan al-Asadi, Iraq's deputy minister of the interior.

Asadi says he recently headed a task force on the issue and that Iraq is investing in newer technology.

Source: NPR

NPR! These devices do not work! Why report the debate, instead of exposing the scam? Are you afraid of embarrassing the Iraqi military? Isn't letting them die from a bomb while using these worthless pieces of junk worse?

How Many Reports Will There Be Before Another Person Dies In Thailand?

2009-07-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

Alpha 6

GT-200 Molecular Detector

The Bangkok Post has two more articles showing the use of GT200 and Alpha 6. In one case, the GT200 was used after a bomb dog alerted on a suspicious motorcycle. THEN, The user of the GT200 pointed to the cycle as well. When they checked the cycle, no bomb was found. The user of the GT200 dowsing rod saw the dog alert on the cycle and thought it had explosives in it, so when he walked by, even without him realizing he was moving the rod, he tilted it in the direction of the motorcycle. He was not trying to point the rod, his brain knew the dog had alerted on the cycle and without him noticing, his hand tilted to the cycle.

In the second article, the police ALREADY were informed a truck containing a large amount of narcotics products would pass through the district. THEN the driver was found to be on drugs. The police found the cans of liquid, and determined they were chemicals used to make drugs. FINALLY, they used the GT200 and Alpha 6, both of which said the chemicals were related to drugs. This does nothing to prove the dowsing rods work. After the tip, the driver on drugs, the search finding hidden containers of liquid, a chemical test, why were the GT200 and Alpha 6 even needed?

Asean meet hit by bomb scare

Writer: THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL AND ACHADTAYA CHUENNIRAN

Published: 24/07/2009 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

PHUKET : There was a brief panic at the Asean forum yesterday after an attempt to defuse a suspected bomb near the meeting venue.

A motorcycle with a flat tyre drew attention because it was parked in the prohibited area near the Holiday Inn hotel where the North Korean representatives were staying, about 300 metres from the meeting venue.

A military team sent a sniffer dog to examine the bike and its reaction indicated there was something wrong.

The military then brought in a GT 200 detector robot to double-check and the result confirmed there was a restricted object inside. The motorcycle also had an access sticker for the meeting area.

The military decided to use a high-pressure water gun to destroy the vehicle's electrical circuit. The sound of the water blast was heard around the compound of the Laguna area and caused brief panic for some participants and organising staff.

"I would like to reiterate that we needed to follow precautionary measures based on the highest security level. There was no explosive substance found," said Lt Gen Kanit Sapitak, the 1st Army Region commander, who is responsible for security measures at the meeting.

"We think it may have been traces of urea, or it could have been traces of a substance used for fireworks."

Meanwhile, security authorities have starting returning to their barracks.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the troop withdrawal began at midnight yesterday.

About 10,000 soldiers from the 4th Army and other forces including the Special Forces Unit based in Lop Buri were used to safeguard the meeting which began on Friday.

Cans of corn held drug ingredients

Writer: SAIARUN PINADUANG

Published: 24/07/2009 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

PHAYAO : Police have found a suspected precursor chemical for producing drugs hidden inside cans containing corn seed on a truck heading to a port in Chon Buri province.

The cargo was destined for export to Dubai, police said.

Phayao police had received a tip a truck carrying a large amount of a narcotic substance from Chiang Mai province would pass through Muang district.

At about 3.20am yesterday, officers led by provincial police chief Prasai Sangkhasap stopped a truck driven by Watchara Sisawai, 40, at a checkpoint in tambon Mae Ka in Muang district, a Phayao police source said.

Inside a container were 1,000 boxes containing cans of corn seed weighing about 21 tonnes.

The source said tests confirmed the driver had taken narcotics.

Tests were also conducted on liquid substances found inside the specially-designed cans. The results showed the liquid was likely to be a chemical precursor used for producing drugs.

Drug abuse charges have been laid against Mr Watchara and he has been taken into custody.

The police team is now tracking the source of the cans, which were to be trucked to a port in Chon Buri and shipped to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The source said labels on the corn seed cans showed they were the product of Progress Service and Repair Co and were transported from Chiang Mai's Chai Prakan district by OV International Import Export Co.

He said police scanned the cans with narcotic substance detection devices called GT200 and Alpha 6 before seizing those containing the suspected precursor chemical.

The cans would be sent to Bangkok for further laboratory examination, the source said.

Why Does Mexico Still Use GT200 Detectors?

2009-07-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

User Dragunov on the Militaryphotos.net forum posted these photos of Mexican police using GT-200 detector molecular for finding drugs and weapons. Please warn the government of Mexico to stop using these fraudulent detectors before more police and civilians are killed! Instead of looking at the people in the cars who might be drug runners ready to shoot him, this officer is made to watch a freely swinging radio antenna attached to a plastic box that detects nothing.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/167840.html

This newspaper says 300 were bought.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Latin American Herald Tribune - Mexico Finds Almost a Ton of Cocaine Inside Shark Carcasses
[By using worthless dowsing rods which should have zero credibility in court]

Shared via AddThis

The Latin American Herald Tribune reported a story about police in Mexico finding cocaine in frozen shark carcasses. When the shipment was inspected, it was first x-rayed, and "showed signs of irregularities." Then the GT-200 molecular detection dowsing rod was brought out and confirmed that the frozen shark bodies that had had their meat removed and replaced with an unknown powder, in one of the biggest drug smuggling areas in the world, just might have cocaine inside.

THE GT-200 DID NOT FIND THE COCAINE! The POLICE found the cocaine, using their training, experience, and the X-RAY machine showing the "irregularities."

The only thing the GT-200 can do is find the budget accounts of police and military units and suck them dry.

Mexico Finds Almost a Ton of Cocaine Inside Shark Carcasses

Caracas, Monday June 22,2009

MEXICO CITY – A shipment of 893 kilos (1,967 pounds) of cocaine was found hidden inside frozen shark carcasses in the southeastern Mexican port of Progreso, the Navy Secretariat said in a statement.

The drugs were found in a container being transported by the Marshall Islands-flagged Dover Strait vessel, which had departed from Costa Rica for this Gulf coast port, located in Yucatan state.

The secretariat said Wednesday that the seizure was made following a routine X-ray inspection of seven containers.

One of them showed signs of irregularities, prompting navy personnel to carry out a detailed inspection with the help of a GT-200 molecular detector and narcotics-sniffing dogs.

Upon opening one of the shark carcasses, the navy personnel found black plastic bags containing rectangular packages with cocaine inside, according to the secretariat, which did not indicate whether any arrests were made nor the intended destination of the drugs.

Experts say that, of the 650 tons of cocaine shipped each year from South America to the United States, some 400 tons are transported through Mexico and a large portion of that total remains in the Latin American country. EFE

***********************

PLEASE HELP WARN THE POLICE IN MEXICO AND AROUND THE WORLD NOT TO BUY THESE WORTHLESS PRODUCTS THAT MAKE THE POLICE AND CITIZENS LESS SAFE. THEY JUST MAKE THE CRIMINALS SELLING THESE DOWSING RODS RICHER!

Update: More news from Mexico, with police using completely worthless dowsing rods to search for drugs and weapons. The article above about the three police from Thailand shows the danger of this. Second, what about people who are convicted based on the "evidence" provided by a dowsing rod. No scientific test has ever shown dowsing to be able to detect anything: water, drugs, explosives, gold. Dowsing does not work.

http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2009/07/07/index.php?section=politica&article=014n3po l

http://www.cambiodemichoacan.com.mx/vernota.php?id=104634

Why Did PEMEX Buy GT200 Detectors?

2009-07-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

Andrés Tonini from the Blog El viaje de Lonjho is asking important questions to PEMEX about the reported purchase and use of the GT-200 Molecular Detectors to protect oil and gas facilities from attack. The use of dowsing rods to protect the lives of Mexican citizens is highly dangerous. A bomb at an oil refinery or gas pipeline could kill hundreds of people.

1 .- How many units of the GT200 molecular signature detector the Global Technical have been purchased? How many lots? Specify date of purchase (s) and number of units acquired.

Answer: "They have purchased 5 (five) parts. 1 (one) lot. Purchase Date: December 12, 2008."

2 .- The unit price of the GT200 (in Mexican pesos and U.S. dollars at the time of (s) transaction (s)).

Answer: "In Mexican pesos: $ 464,756.40 and $ 34,500.00 USD, the USD $ 13.4712 dated December 6, 2008."

3 .- Describe additional costs associated with the GT200 as:

a) training courses (numbers, dates and costs);
b) Additional equipment related (specify the type, quantity and costs).

Answer: "There were no additional costs."

4 .- In accordance with the manufacturer of the GT200, which is the scientific principle underlying its operation?

Answer: "The information requested is classified as proprietary and confidential in accordance with Articles 13 fraction I and IV, section 14, section I, II and 18 of the Federal Law of Transparency and Access to Public Government Information.
Accompanying Order issued by the Committee on Information at its meeting Pemex Petrochemical E64.

5 .- Is a technical committee formed to test the GT200 before deciding on their purchase? If so, the names of the members of this committee and its technical expertise.

Answer: "No".

6 .- Before deciding the purchase of the GT200, tests were carried out with the team to see if it works according to what was promised by the manufacturer? If so, what was the protocol of these tests? Who proposed it? Who performed?, What were the results? Detail in the measure possible.

Answer: "No".

7 .- Who was / the responsible party (s) of authorization to purchase this equipment? Cite name (s).

Answer: "Mr. Hugo Martiradoni Aguiñaga, Deputy Industrial Safety and Eduardo Sanchez Alvarez, Managing Quality, Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection."

Click below for the full post in Spanish on the Lonjho blog. Mr. Tonini should be considered a hero for warning the people of Mexico about the danger both to their lives and to their freedom, by the police, military, and businesses who were tricked into buying worthless dowsing rods that cannot find anything.

http://lonjho.blogspot.com/2009/07/pemex-petroquimica-sobre-el-gt200.htm l

Will The Death Of 3 Police Officers In Thailand Halt The Sale Of The GT-200 Molecular Detector?

2009-07-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

If you support our efforts to warn police and military units about these frauds that are endangering their lives and ours, please consider linking to the site or using Digg or a similar service to help spread the message! -LL

Bravo to the Bangkok Post for warning the people of Thailand about the dangers of bogus explosive detection equipment! Thailand continues to be targeted by the salesmen of the GT-200, Alpha 6, and ADE651. NONE OF THESE DEVICES WORK! They seem to work when demonstrated, but it is an ILLUSION. The person holding the rod correctly guesses where the item is hidden, while the rod does not detect anything.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/19260/when-faulty-technology-can-cost-police-lives

When Faulty Technology can Cost Police Lives
By: Abdulloh Benjakat

Published: 28/06/2009 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

A number of technology-based security measures has been introduced in the strife-torn deep South to tackle militancy and aid police investigations.

But several incidents have proved that authorities cannot absolutely trust the technology, which could lead to misunderstandings among local residents.

Bomb detectors and surveillance cameras are among the tools used to give security authorities an edge in their struggle to restore peace and order.

Known as GT 200, the remote substance detection device is popular among international security forces.

There are more than 100 of them in the South where explosives have now become the insurgents' weapon of choice.

The 700,000 baht GT 200 not only prevents explosions, but can track down bombers by detecting traces of explosives on their clothes.

However, the device has given wrong readings on several occasions and even failed to detect explosive materials, resulting in the loss of life.

Three members of a border patrol police unit were killed in a blast while they were inspecting a suspected bomb planted on a road in Panare district. The GT 200 they were using apparently could not detect traces of explosives.

In another blast in Muang district, security forces narrowly escaped death when a bomb exploded while they were investigating the murder of three officials.

Using a GT 200, security forces scouted the scene of the shooting five times and declared it clear of bombs.

Just as forensic officials began pulling out their tool kits, a bomb went off. It was a sheer luck that no one was hurt.

The deployment of GT 200s has also led to intense stand-offs between security forces and villagers.

Following an ambush in Ban Pakageenor in Nong Chik district in Pattani, security forces sealed off a ponoh school and lined up students for examination for traces of explosives.

The devices readings suggested three of them had traces of explosives on them. The three were detained for questioning only to be released because a conventional investigation could not find evidence to link them with the ambush.

However, their families and neighbours were angered by the incident.

In Yaring district, three men were detained for questioning over a bomb blast after the explosives scanner suggested traces of explosives on them.

An inquiry coupled with witness questioning cleared them of any involvement. They just happened to pass by the blast scene when police were investigating the site.

Similar erroneous readings caused pandemonium at Pattani Hospital.

According to the GT 200, a bomb was inside a briefcase that had been left unattended. But when a bomb disposal squad arrived, their GT 200 found nothing. The briefcase was then opened and found to contain documents and a clock. The owner had left his belongings as he rushed for a kidney dialysis appointment.

In addition, several thousand surveillance cameras which have been installed across the violence-torn region have never become operational.

The equipment procurement was approved under a budget of 972 million baht by the interim government of Surayud Chulanont.

The battle against insurgent attacks in the troubled region is not just about having technology-based security measures. It is also about putting them to good use - otherwise any attempts to solve the problems will be perceived as perfunctory.

************************************************************

More about dowsing fraud scams in Thailand as discussed on the PANTIP.COM forum. Thank you to everyone posting good information to prevent the continuation of the fraudulent selling of these dowsing rods!

http://www.pantip.com/cafe/wahkor

How Do I Know If A Detector Is Bogus?

2009-06-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Why Do The People Of Iraq Have To Lose Their Lives Due To The Sale Of The ADE651 To Police?

2009-06-22T18:35:00.000-07:00

Below is the automatic translation of an Iraqi news article about the police in Najaf preparing to take over security of the province after the American military leaves. Why are criminals allowed to sell the local police and military fraudulent devices like the ADE651?

Najaf police confirm readiness to maintain security after the withdrawal of U.S. troops

Media Center of the communication / Najaf - Kazem Yasiri

The Directorate General of police of Najaf province, the readiness of security forces to take over the security file in full after the withdrawal of American forces by the end of the month of June.

The pilot, Nizar Abdul Wahid, the explosives expert in the department of explosives, combat formations of a police department of Najaf province, the capacity of security agencies to take over the security file in the province, which enjoys security and stability for a long time thanks to the cooperation of citizens with the security forces.

Abdul Wahid said that the police forces in the province had completed basic training and become fully prepared to assume the security file is also currently training police officers and police in all sorts of external and internal checks and the Police Directorate and the protection of facilities and theprotection of the roads in the city continue to deal with explosive devices as well as the opening line model for training in explosives at the police academy in the province.

Abdul Wahid also stressed that the governor of Najaf, Adnan Al-Zurfi has promised to provide modern equipment and advanced to the city of Najaf, and the airport through the main entrance for thedetection of explosives.

It should be noted that the province of Najaf had received a number of devices to detect explosives, including two vehicles armored type ILLAFTrain disposal robots and a U.S. origin, which is driven to the direction of wireless devices and containers for the transport of explosives and 70 devices to detect explosives, type ADE651, two suits to protect explosives experts against the blast and a mirror 10 reflective examination of the vehicle and the bottom 12 of the dismantling ofseveral improvised explosive devices.

http://www.sotaliraq.com/iraqnews.php?id=43372

شرطة النجف تؤكد جاهزيتها لحفظ الأمن بعد انسحاب القوات الأمريكية

المركز الإعلامي للبلاغ / النجف الاشرف – كاظم الياسري

أكدت المديرية العامة لشرطة محافظة النجف الاشرف جاهزية قواتها الأمنية لتسلم الملف الأمني بشكل كامل بعد انسحاب القوات الأمريكية والتي ستجري نهاية شهر حزيران الجاري .

وأوضح الرائد نزار عبد الواحد خبير المتفجرات في مديرية مكافحة المتفجرات إحدى تشكيلات مديرية شرطة محافظة النجف الاشرف قدرة الأجهزة الأمنية على تولي الملف الأمني في المحافظة التي تنعم بالأمان والاستقرار منذ فترة طويلة بفضل تعاون المواطنين مع القوات الأمنية .

وأوضح عبد الواحد إن قوات الشرطة في المحافظة قد أنهت تدريباتها الأساسية وأصبحت مستعدة بشكل كامل لتولي الملف الأمني كما يتم تدريب رجال الشرطة حاليا وبكافة صنوفها شرطة السيطرات الخارجية والداخلية ومديرية الشرطة وحماية المنشات وحماية الطرق الخارجية في المدينة باستمرار على أجهزة معالجة المتفجرات فضلا عن افتتاح صف نموذجي للتدريب على المتفجرات في أكاديمية الشرطة في المحافظة .

كما أكد عبد الواحد بان محافظ النجف الأستاذ عدنان الزرفي قد وعد بتوفير أجهزة حديثة ومتطورة للمدينة ولمطار النجف من خلال مدخله الرئيسي للكشف عن المتفجرات .

جدير بالذكر بان محافظة النجف الاشرف كانت قد استلمت عدد من الأجهزة لكشف المتفجرات تشمل عجلتين مدرعتين نوع إيلاف لمعالجة المتفجرات وجهاز الإنسان الآلي أمريكي المنشأ الذي يتم تسيره لاسلكيا باتجاه العبوات وحاوية محصنة لنقل العبوات الناسفة و70 جهاز لكشف المتفجرات نوع ADE651 وبدلتين ضد العصف لخبراء المتفجرات و10 مرآة عاكسة لفحص أسفل المركبات و 12 عدة لتفكيك العبوات الناسفة .

Why Do Thai TV Stations Not Warn The Police in Phuket?

2009-06-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

The first 2 minutes of this news report from Thailand shows the criminals have still been selling the worthless Alpha 6 "detector" to the government. Why doesn't anyone warn them before they are killed by explosives, bombs, or guns that this device CANNOT detect?!

The Alpha Six / Alpha 6 CANNOT DETECT DRUGS!!! None of these dowsing rods can detect drugs, people, gold, water, or weapons!!! They have NEVER passed a scientific test. These rods are sold based on the illusion that they work. They put them in the hands of experienced police officers who can already guess which cars have drugs in them.

When the police guess correctly most of the time, the saleman says "See! It works!." If the police officer picks a car without drugs, the salesman says "you are right 90 percent of the time, and these guys probably were smoking drugs earlier and the detector just found the small amount of drugs left on their clothing or in their blood."

The detectors DO NOT WORK!

Along with a legitimate technology, license plate recognition, the police in Phuket will use the Alpha 6.

The US Military works PACOM works closely with the Thai military to improve their security. Also, the US government spends millions on security training and equipment. Does America have no responsibility to ensure the money is spend on useful items and not snake oil claims of magical detection that has so far failed and failed and failed every scientific double blind test it has been put against?

A security system called ‘License Plate Recognition’ is proposed to be utilized at Tha Chartchai check point - the only land gateway to Phuket Island. Having being proposed it by a private firm and demonstrated to how the equipment operates, Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob on Wednesday was briefed about the machine at Tha Chartchai check point. It can detect and report clear vehicle number-plates and persons in vehicles. The governor admits that the system is new to Phuket and that it can record the number of times a vehicle passes the system. It can also report a driver’s face and number plate and can call for data back to 6 months. The provincial authority plans to have the system installed in time for the up-coming ministerial meeting and two other regional meetings. This will work alongside the narcotic drugs detection machine – Alpha Six which will also be in place. Governor Wichai stressed that he would block all other land entrances and exits nearby to make sure that anyone or vehicles coming in and out of Phuket Island goes through this check point.

Why Do Not US News Stations Warn Their Mexican Neighbors About GT-200?

2009-06-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

Channel 7 television news station KVIA from El Paso Texas reported news from Juarez Mexico

http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=10543171

"Once inside the apartment, investigators used a new GT-200 molecular detector to scan the apartment. This led to the discovery of 30 bundles of pot that were hidden within a mattress and the toilet bowl."

http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=10396683&nav=AbC0

According to officials, Roldan was driving a semi truck headed into the U.S. via the Zaragoza International Bridge. Mexican custom agents utilized the GT-200, a molecular detector that scans vehicles for narcotics, to make the bust, officials said.
The device detected pot inside the trailer and a search led to the discovery. Charges are still pending against Roldan.

Why don't American reporters warn the people on the border between USA and Mexico about the GT-200 Molecular Detector, which has never been shown to locate anything?! A freely swinging radio antenna flopping around on a plastic box does not equal a detector of explosives or drugs. Countless times these devices have failed double blind tests. Never have they passed. Never. Always the makers and seller say there is some reason their device cannot be tested. How does a detector that cannot work when a user does not know where a sample is hidden work in the real world? Simple, it is an illusion and only appears to work, because experienced police and military officers know to search apartments of kidnappers for evidence.

For our readers from Mexico, here is more about GT-200 en Espanol:

http://lonjho.blogspot.com/2009/02/mas-sobre-el-gt200-nueve-anos-con-los.html

What Does the UK Government Say About The GT200 Molecular Detector?

2009-06-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Blog reader Dubious Dick had some questions about how Global Technical advertised itself as being used or endorsed by the British Military. Here is the answer he received from the Ministry of Defence:

"I should first explain that GT200 is not in-service with our Armed Forces, nor has it ever been. Whilst the MOD is aware of GT 200 it has not been considered to satisfy any of the capabilities we need...In this particular case, UKTI DSO will be asking the company not to use the 1999 report to promote their product. They will also request that any reference to MOD or UKTI endorsement in their literature and on their website be removed."

Full text of letter:

PromotionofGT200byGlobalTechnicalLtdU7.4.9JamesArbuthnotMP

GT-200 Sniffex

When Will The Mexican Government Realize The GT200 Molecular Detectors Do Not Work?

2009-05-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

No matter how you feel about the war on drugs, do you think people should be searched, arrested and convicted on "evidence" consisting of a worthless dowsing rod pointing at your house based on the subconscious guess of the police? Why do the police use the GT-200 dowsing rod? Why do the citizens allow the GT200 to be used to search and arrest their neighbors? Is the violence so bad people that people do not care about evidence anymore?

More people now find this blog searching for GT-200 than for Sniffex. As the Sniffex name disappears in the shame of being exposed as worthless junk, new detection rods promising amazing results take its place. The cycle of fraud continues, with innocent people's lives at stake.

http://www.exonline.com.mx/diario/noticia/primera/pulsonacional/queman_44_hectareas_de_droga/595797

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/167840.html

http://quadratin.com.mx/www1/noticia.php?id=48803&seccion=6

http://www.reportedigital.com.mx/noticias/justicia/14827.html

http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2009/05/04/desmantelan-laboratorio-y-aseguran-arsenal-en-michoacan

Blogger Andrés Tonini from Lonjho has written about the scam in Spanish on his own blog, and describes well the misuse of the GT-200 detector and other dowsing rods

El "detector molecular" GT200 o cómo le vieron la cara a la SEDENA.

...

El aparato, es, para llamarlo por su nombre, un fraude. El modelo original se llamaba Sniffex y James Randi lo expuso como tal desde hace tiempo (aquí algo más reciente). En la única prueba independiente y bien hecha que ha tenido, sus resultados no fueron mejores que los que se obtienen lanzando una moneda al aire, lo cual no es de sorprender si vemos que no se trata de otra cosa que una versión plastificada de lo que pretenden hacer los zahories:

http://lonjho.blogspot.com/search/label/GT200

More in Spanish can also be found at the Charlatanes Blog

http://charlatanes.blogspot.com/2009/05/estafas-al-gobierno-mexicano-dinero-y.html

Why Is India The Latest GT200 Scam Victim?

2009-05-10T00:25:00.000-07:00

After the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, shouldn't India spend its counterterrorism money on things which will actually work to find explosives?

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/remote-explosive-detection-system-demonstrated/456525/

Remote explosive detection system demonstrated
Express News Service Posted: May 09, 2009 at 0112 hrs Pune A demonstration of the GT200, a remote substance and explosive detection system manufactured by a UK-based firm, was carried out on Friday at the Queen Mary Technical Institute in Khadki, in the presence of Army and police officers.
The Horizon Group, founded by retired Indian Army officers, which conducted the demonstration, is marketing the product in the country. According to Maj Gen (Retd) S G Pitre, chairman of the group, the GT200, which functions on paramagnetic principles, can detect almost all kinds of explosives and narcotics on land, water, air and underground.
“The detector locates paramagnetic fields emitted by target substances and is equipped to search for all types of drugs or explosives. It can be used for scanning large areas, vehicle checkpoint searches, building searches, port control searches, open area searches, Naval operation searches and air operation searches,”
Pitre told newspersons. The device, which weighs around 450 gm, is compact in size and comes with a foldable antenna, which is connected to a small pack on an operator’s belt, which houses the operating unit and sensor cards. Apart from explosives, the system can detect narcotics, humans, currency notes, tobacco and so on, depending on the sensor cards used, Pitre said.
Earlier, Brig (Retd) Amit Apte, vice chairman, Horizon Group, explained the various functions, advantages and working of the detection unit, which was followed by a live demonstration. “As terrorists pose constant, challenging threats and increasing instances of low-intensity conflicts, such a remote substance detector will facilitate law enforcement agencies in the timely detection of improvised explosive devices,” Apte said.
“We have demonstrated the GT200 in several defence establishments across the country, including New Delhi, and the response has been positive. There is a plan to demonstrate it to the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation for certification soon,” said Pitre, adding that the unit currently has a certification from the Army Engineers, UK.

In addition to the Horizon Group mentioned above, the Nikung Group from India also advertises the GT200 Remote Substance detection system.

"GT200 - Remote Substance Detection System
Developed in the UK over 9 years, in conjunction with the British Army, the GT200 locates dia and paramagnetic fields emitted by target substances such as plastic & chemical explosives, uranium acetate, ammonium nitrate, and ammunition 500 metres away. Other substances the GT200 is capable of detecting include narcotics, humans, tobacco, currency notes, toxins, etc.
The device is body worn, weighs a mere 450g and is triggered by static generated by the user's body, requiring no additional power source. Furthermore, there is no known way to jam the device."

How would you jam a device that does not work from the starting? Capable to detect explosives, uranium, drugs, humans, tobacco, money, toxins, does not use any external power source or batteries -- is there anything it can not do?

IS THIS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? Yes.

Questions About Sniffex, ADE651, GT200, H3 Tec, HEDD1, AL-6D and Other Explosive Detectors

Why Is Gary Bolton Walking Free?

Why Can Britain Warn GT200 Is A Scam But Not Arrest Bolton?

By MARC LACEY

Published: March 15, 2010

A version of this article appeared in print on March 16, 2010, on page A4 of the New York edition.

What Is The History Of Dowsing Fraud?

Jim McCormick, How Was Jail Again For Selling The Fraudulent ADE651?

Why Did UK Military Engineers Sell The Scam GT200?

Why Didn't Slate Magazine Continue Exposing The Fraud?

Whatever Happened To ADE651 In Iraq?

In Iraq, no magic, or any use, for these wands

What Did The Thai Prime Minister Say About GT-200?

What Is Inside A GT200 Detector? Does An Empty Plastic Box Detect Things?

Why Is The AL-6D From DiodeBell The Newest Fraudulent Detector?

Why Is Jim McCormick Still Selling ADE 651?

Why Did We Wish The Media Reported On The GT200, ADE651, Alpha 6, Or MOLE Detector Sooner?

What Happens When Detectors Like GT200 Fail Another Test?

The Bangkok Post has diligently been reporting on the scandal, and documented the failure of the GT200 in government tests, and plans to test the almost identical Alpha 6 detector which is used to find drugs.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Device registers 20% success rate in tests

When Will The Thailand Government Listen About ADE651 and GT200?

Will The Thai Government Use A Double-Blind Test For GT200?

Ministry begins GT200 lab tests today

Disassembly an option if results not conclusive

Who Will Monitor The Tests Of GT200, ADE651, Alpha 6, And Others?

Is The Thai Military Showing Good Sense In Not Buying GT-200 Devices?

What Does The Thai Press Think Of The GT200 Bogus Detectors?

Will Thai Authorities Admit Their Mistake After The ADE651 And GT200 Have Been Exposed As Fraud?

What Does James Randi Think Of The Export Ban On ADE651?

Why Are The Makers of HEDD1 Dumber Than ADE651?

ADE651 Maker Arrested! Who Will Be Next?

RELATED LINKS

What Is Newer Than ADE 651 GT200 And H3 Tec? Is it HEDD1?

What Does The US Military Say About ADE651 Detectors?

US general questions Iraq bomb detection kit

Will H3 Tec Be The Next To Trick The Military And Police? And what Is Nano Ionic Resonance?

When Will Iraq Listen To James Randi And Military Experts About ADE651?

When Will Other News Agencies Follow The Lead Of Scoup And The Asian Human Rights Commission?

Is Thailand Still Fighting Terrorists With The GT-200 Detector Associated With The Death Of 4 Thailand Citizens?

Will Sniffex Ever Die? How Is Sniffex Still In Business?

What Does It Look Like When Police Using GT200 Dowsing Rods Are Killed By Terrorists With Explosives?

Still Not Sure The Government in Thailand Uses Sniffex and GT200 Dowsing Rods?

How Do I Build My Own GT-200, ADE651, Sniffex Plus, or Alpha 6?

When Will Thailand Investigate The Sellers Of GT200 Detectors For Fraud?

Published: 12/10/2009 at 12:52 PM

Will the GT200 Detector Death Toll Rise Yet Again?

UPDATE: Death toll where the GT-200 Molecular Detector failed to find the explosives is up to 4 people killed.

Najib plans to join PM in tour of South

Suthep angry detector failed to locate bomb

How High Will The Death Count Go For The GT200 Detector?

When Will USA Today Stop Repeating The Unproven Claims Of GT-200?

Why Does Not NPR Truely Expose This Scam?

Portable Bomb Detector Prompts Debate In Iraq

How Many Reports Will There Be Before Another Person Dies In Thailand?

Why Does Mexico Still Use GT200 Detectors?

Why Did PEMEX Buy GT200 Detectors?

Will The Death Of 3 Police Officers In Thailand Halt The Sale Of The GT-200 Molecular Detector?

How Do I Know If A Detector Is Bogus?

Why Do The People Of Iraq Have To Lose Their Lives Due To The Sale Of The ADE651 To Police?

Why Do Thai TV Stations Not Warn The Police in Phuket?

Why Do Not US News Stations Warn Their Mexican Neighbors About GT-200?

What Does the UK Government Say About The GT200 Molecular Detector?

When Will The Mexican Government Realize The GT200 Molecular Detectors Do Not Work?

Why Is India The Latest GT200 Scam Victim?

Remote explosive detection system demonstrated