Development of Area-Based Explosive Trace Detection Using Deep Transfer Learning

Abstract

Terrorism poses a significant global threat, necessitating comprehensive security measures to protect people and critical infrastructure. With the increasing frequency of explosive-based attacks, there is a pressing need for advanced detection systems to mitigate potential devastation. This paper presents the development of an area-based explosive trace detection system using deep transfer learning. Leveraging deep learning technology trained on a substantial dataset collected from sensor networks, the proposed model, named Deep Transfer Learning for Explosive Trace Detection (DTLETD), demonstrates remarkable capabilities in classifying explosive gases based on concentrations of Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), and Nitrogen (N). The methodology involves converting the dataset into 2D data using a serial data to image generator, followed by the adaptation of a pre-trained model for transfer learning. The DTLETD model outperformed conventional Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models, achieving a training time reduction of about 92 seconds compared to 1287 seconds for the CNN model. Additionally, the transfer learning model exhibits faster convergence with nearly zero losses during training and validation, yielding an impressive accuracy of 99.7% and an average AUC value of approximately 0.89. This research significantly advances the field of explosive trace detection by integrating machine learning-based approaches with deep transfer learning techniques, thereby enhancing security protocols and mitigating potential threats.