THE DEVICE USES A BIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUE OF VAPOR DETECTION BY WHICH LUMINESCENT ORGANISMS CHANGE THEIR LIGHT EMISSION WHEN EXPOSED IN THE PRESENCE OF A VAPOR TO WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN CULTURED AND SENSITIZED. THE BIOSENSOR IS A LIVING CONGLOMERATION OF MILLIONS OF THESE LUMINESCENT BACTERIA, PLACED IN AN AIR SAMPLER WITH AN OPTICAL TRANSDUCER TO BECOME A POTENT DETECTOR. THE DEVICE IS PORTABLE, HAND-HELD, AND REQUIRES A TRAINED OPERATOR. ACTUAL OUTDOOR TESTS DEMONSTRATED THE CAPABILITY OF THE BIOSENSOR SYSTEM IN DETECTING PEOPLE SECRETED IN AUTO TRUNKS, VANS, AND CARTONS. SUCH DETECTIONS CAN BE MADE WITHOUT OPENING CAR TRUNK LIDS, WITHOUT OFF-LOADING SHIPMENTS, AND WITHOUT DAMAGING GASKETS, DOOR MOLDINGS WIND FLAPS, OR WEATHER SEALS. THE TIME PER DETECTION WAS FOUND TO BE FIVE SECONDS OR LESS. SEE ALSO NCJ-011227 AND NCJ-01128. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)