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2010-01-27 |
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| Dogs better at finding bombs than GT 200 Detection device has just 30% success rate |
| Well-trained dogs would be far more effective in detecting explosive materials in the South than the controversial GT200 device, a Chulalongkorn University scientist says. |
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Serious doubts have been raised about the efficiency of the GT200, made by Britain-based Global Technological Co and used extensively by security forces in the three main southern provinces where insurgents have been setting off bombs for six years, killing and maiming thousands of people.
Molecular scientist Jetsada Denduangpan, who has made a personal study of the GT200, yesterday raised the idea of trained dogs after receiving more information about the bomb detection device from an army representative who late last year clarified its functions and limitations before the senate committee on the southern insurgency.
The GT200 has come under scrutiny since a BBC report last week said Jim McCormick, director of the company that sold the similar ADE 651 detector to many countries, including Iraq, had been arrested on fraud charges following the discovery that the device did not work.
Iraqi lawmakers have told security forces to stop using the ADE651 after the British government banned its export.
Mr Jetsada said Thai security officials say the GT200 is "only 30% effective, yet any devices used by security personnel should be at least 70-80% effective". He said the chip cards slotted into the device could not guarantee precise detection.
Thai security officials are using 535 GT200 devices, worth about 900,000 baht each, in the insurgency-plagued provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
Pol Snr Sgt Maj San Warongkapaisin of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in Narathiwat said he did not rely just on the GT200 but used his experience and skills as well.
The Internal Security Operations Command Region4 insists the GT200 does work, saying the bomb detector had proved to provide more correct than false results.
The GT200 has been used in the area since 2006 and so far there had been only two mistakes resulting from users, not the device, said Isoc chief public relations officer Banpot Poonpean, citing a report of a committee investigating the mistakes.
He said the officers involved did not follow the appropriate procedures for bomb detection. They relied only on the device without using it with others, which are needed to confirm the initial readings of the GT200.
"It is not a magical device which can identify [explosive] materials at will," Col Banpot said. "The GT200 is only a helping hand."
The remote substance detector helps officers to narrow areas of detection by locating suspected items. But to tell precisely whether there are explosive materials present, officers need to use another two bomb detection devices.
Meanwhile, in Pattani's Sai Buri district, a military ranger was injured by a bomb blast yesterday as he was patrolling a road linking Pattani and Narathiwat, police said.
The bomb, hidden in a bag, was detonated as a group of patrolmen came near, injuring Thirawat Puangpet.
In Muang district, about 3,000 officials and teachers gathered at CS Pattani hotel to pay their respects to those killed in insurgent attacks. The hotel was hit by a car bomb in 2008 which killed two people and injured 13.
Bangkokpost
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