The document discusses the GT200, a controversial device used by the Mexican government to detect explosives and drugs, which has been criticized for its ineffectiveness. Various iterations of the device have been debunked, with Thailand acknowledging its failure after significant financial investment. The issue remains largely unreported by mainstream media, with calls for public awareness and advocacy for scientific testing methods.

1. Fighting Criminals with a Divining Rod: The GT200 and the Mexican Government Lino Coria Twitter: @linocoria

2. Mexico... a few years ago

3. Mexico... today

4. Mexican drug war

5. How does the Mexican Government protects its army? Giving them the GT200: A so-called “remote substance detector” Made by UK-based Global Technical Ltd It “detects” various substances including explosives and drugs.

6. More about the GT200 The GT200 has many iterations: Sniffex, ADE651, HEDDI The UK Government has banned the export of such devices to Iraq and Afghanistan The government of Thailand spent $21 million on the GT200 but has now accepted that the device is completely ineffective at detecting explosives

7. How does it work? The GT200 consists of three main components: A swivelling antenna A Plastic handgrip Sensor cards It requires no battery or other power source and is said to be powered solely by the user's static electricity

8. In other words...

9. So how does it actually work? The antenna is not stable People move the device unconsciously (ideomotor effect)

10. What about the media? Mexican media has mostly ignored this issue A few science promoters have written about this The most reliable sources however: Mexican bloggers Blogger Andrés Tonini has done lots of research

11. Asking Questions Tonini has been asking governmental agencies why they purchased the GT200 Some agencies have replied PEMEX (Mexican Oil Industry) explains that there was a committee (names provided) and tests where made: the GT200 is effective, they concluded

12. My Question Is this GT200 issue a matter of corruption or lack of knowledge on how to perform scientific tests (like the double-blind method?)

13. What can we do? Keep blogging! Be bilingual Be nicer Also: We need a celebrity (there is no Spanish-speaking Richard Dawkins or James Randi)

14. Links Visit linocoria.com to find links related to this talk: News Videos Wikipedia pages Mexican skeptics blogs

15. Questions? Lino Coria http://linocoria.com @linocoria [email_address]