Cost-effective Versatility
Simple and inexpensive, compared to costly imaging systems, ETD can be used alone as the primary means of explosives detection or in combination with other detection technologies for alarm resolution, handling overflow, and relieving bottlenecks during peak periods of screening activity.

Accurate Results
Explosives are organic in nature and emit microscopic particles that transfer easily between people and objects that have come in physical contact with an explosive substance. Capable of detecting explosives at the nanogram (one billionth of a gram) level, ETD instruments can detect explosives where other methods fail, particularly those that rely on visual detection. Detecting trace amounts on a box or container's surface may indicate the presence of hidden, larger amounts.

Fast, Efficient and User-friendly
Trace is fast and easy. A few swipes of a box or container's outside surface with a sampling swab or "trap" yields results in seconds, alerting screeners to the presence of a threat substance. Simple non-invasive screening protocols assure rapid throughput, while helping to prevent damage to screened items.

The benefits of ETD use compared to other TSA approved screening methods:

Explosives Trace Detection (ETD)	Advanced Technology X-ray	Explosives Detection Systems (EDS)	Explosives Detecting Canines	Physical Search w/Manifest Verification
Lowest cost investment Identifies suspect substances Easy "go / no-go" operation Small size and portable	Moderate investment cost Limited package size scanning Fixed position scanning	Heavy initial investment Large footprint Expensive maintenance contract	Requires a dog handler Limited period of interest No substance identification	Time consuming and labor intensive Invasive, higher risk of damage Susceptible to human error