The detection of concealed drugs and explosives in a variety of scenarios is a challenge faced by security and law enforcement agencies worldwide. The technical challenges to the explosives and narcotics detection are limited only to the imagination of the innovative terrorist or drug smugglers. Threat scenarios include concealing a few pounds of drugs and explosives on an individual, to tons of explosives and drugs contained in a truck or vessel. The technologies used must be appropriate to the specific users application as well as affordable and effective. There is an evolution of new scientific approaches and innovative applications of existing research that will eventually transition to the end user.

The purpose of the Detecting Illicit Substances: Explosives and Drugs Conference is to create a forum for scientists, engineers, and influential policy makers. The forum allows the opportunity to engage in valuable discussions to understand key issues and concerns that will aid in identifying future policy direction while inspiring scientific technological advances within the R&D community.

The conference will focus on novel R&D concepts, emerging technologies as well as technology currently under evaluation or demonstration. This conference will expose senior scientists and the next generation of scientists to the opportunities, requirements and challenges of explosives and drug detection worldwide. The conference will also join policy makers with scientists to develop a framework for the future of explosive and drug detection.

In addition to the discussion and poster leads, the chairs would like to recognize and thank the following individuals for providing advice and devoting many hours to ensuring the success of this year's conference: John J. Pennella, Terry Kunz, Amy Waters, David Atkinson, Lyle Malotky, Susan Hallowell, Matthew Brookes, Gidget Morgan, and Ray Mintz.