Researchers at the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway have been working on the development and application of chemometric techniques for the detection, identification and quantification of illicit materials such as narcotics, explosives and dangerous solvents.

The technology can be practically applied by authorities at airport security screening, on the spot forensics and poison testing at accident and emergency departments.

The intelligent software, entitled Hazard IQ, has been developed at NUI Galway by Dr. Michael Madden, Department of Information Technology and Dr Alan Ryder, Department of Chemistry and the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science.