IPVM Metal / Weapons Detection Test Procedures
IPVM has commenced testing metal/weapons detectors (see Garrett Metal Detector PD6500i and Quick-Q Software Tested) and is publicly releasing its test procedures so that the public and industry can review and provide feedback.
The test runs are made with a variety of threat and innocuous items that are carried through the detector by a "sterile" IPVM employee (i.e., with no metal objects). Threat items consisted of three different firearms of various sizes: Smith & Wesson Model 442 Revolver, Glock 19 Semi-Automatic, and a Smith & Wesson M&P Sport II ) and a great variety of knives with blade lengths ranging from 2.5"-10.5". The graphic below shows threat items that are used:
Cellphones, keys, wallets, laptops, chargers, belt buckles, headphones, etc. are used for innocuous items, as the graphic below shows:
Items from both groups are tested multiple times at different locations on a person's body. For knives, guns, and some innocuous items, 20 runs are made per bodily location. The chosen locations are similar to the ones used in the NIJ-060102 certification. A total of 8 locations are tested: 2 at ankle height, 1 at groin level, 2 at torso level, 1 at chest level, and 2 at shoulder level, as shown below:
NIJ-0601-02 certification has 9 total locations - we tested 8 of 9 zones, with the head location removed, for the safety of those involved in testing and real-world applicability.
Not all objects are tested at all locations; some test objects are tested only at locations that commonly occur. For example, belt buckles are not tested at shoulder height, and Yeti mugs are not tested at ankle height.
To mitigate discrepancies in the object's location, we used a cardboard vest to which objects are taped. This design first originated in the 2016 Finish-British scientific paper on improving object classification with walk-through metal detectors, as shown below:
Guns and large objects are not taped to the vest and are carried by subjects.
Questions and feedback can be shared in the comments below or email testing@ipvm.com