Research groups
Contact: Prof. Indrek Saar, ar@sisek
Often being a hub for various trade routes, ports have always been an environment associated with smuggling, corruption and other illegal activities. The study provides an overview of the dangers related to illegal trade in seaports and the vulnerabilities of Estonian ports. The focus is on Muuga as the largest cargo port in Estonia, which the research team has analysed in more detail over the past year.
The study explores how ports, as highly secured areas, may nevertheless be vulnerable to various illegal activities and what role Estonian ports may play in regional and global smuggling. The risks related to customs formalities and the location of Muuga Harbour are discussed separately, and the circumstances identified from the surveys of other ports around the world were highlighted on the basis of scientific literature. The study proposes solutions for how law enforcement agencies could prevent illegal trade in Estonia more effectively and increase the security of ports.
The interdisciplinary research group of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, which intertwines the perspectives of economics, sociology and criminology, dissects the appearance of illegal trade in Estonian seaports in a unique study.
The survey answers the following research questions:
- How do the different parties operating in the port perceive the dangers associated with illegal trade and the port's vulnerability to them?
- What governance, logistics and human factors cause or increase the vulnerability of ports?
- What are the possible solutions to mitigate the risks associated with illegal trade?
Contact: Rene Radala, la@sisek
The role of service dogs in detecting narcotics is of critical importance in Estonia's internal security. Dogs can detect hazardous substances in situations where technological means are limited. However, the evidence-based scent detection of service dogs has not always been able to keep pace with rapidly changing synthetic drug compositions.
In the work of service dogs, the drug containing 3,4-methylene-dioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA), or "ecstasy", which spreads in tablet form has posed a particular challenge. These are synthetic substances, the chemical composition, excipients and even the colour of which can vary greatly in concentration, depending on the "underground" production method and batch. This is where the question arises: does the dog distinguish between the actual active ingredient or its side compounds?
The research group of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences focuses on how service dogs distinguish between ecstasy and which substances should be used in their training to ensure the highest possible accuracy and reliability. The focus of the study is on the specificity of the nose of service dogs – we can correctly choose the target scent from a mixture that also contains non-target scents.
The aim of the study is to validate the amount and composition of the exercise substance used to detect ecstasy and to develop standardised training and handling protocols to support a consistent and high level of odour absorption. Training that directs dogs to react primarily to the active ingredient rather than to other components used to make tablets is preferred.
The thesis answers several practical questions.
- What kind of packaging material and the smell of handling equipment should be excluded?
- Which excipients should be excluded so that the service dog does not mark the wrong target?
- What is the optimal MDMA content in a tablet to use for service dog training? How many false positives and negatives are there with different batches confiscated from the street?
The results will help to develop a reliable, evidence-based and uniform training methodology for service dogs, which will strengthen the detection of drug crime at the Estonian borders, airports and prisons. In this way, the research helps to ensure that the dog's nose continues to be one of the most effective tools in preventing the spread of illegal substances.
The research group works in cooperation with the Estonian University of Life Sciences and the Estonian Forensic Science Institute:
Estonian Academy of Security Sciences: Rene Radala, Andres Suurküla, Maksim Jaksman, Madis Koitla, Chris Eljas, Piret Teppan, Roland Heinsoo, Marek Liiva
Estonian University of Life Sciences: Lea Tummeleht
Estonian Forensic Science Institute: Sven Laanet