ImpulseRadar
Simplifying GPR for Law Enforcement

As a non-intrusive method of surveying the sub-surface, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology has carved a unique place in the law enforcement arena by helping investigators find and retrieve delicate material without the need for digging. Over the years, GPR has also been used to locate clandestine graves of homicide victims, buried caches of incriminating evidence, and more. And unlike metal detectors, GPR can detect non-metallic items such as narcotics, weapons, and money buried underground, making it a disruptive technology for forensic and other law enforcement investigations. However, a majority of smaller agencies still struggle to leverage the benefits of GPR because it often requires a skilled geophysicist to use the equipment and deliver the desired results effectively. Addressing this challenge with its user-friendly and real-time sampling (RTS) technology-driven portfolio of GPR solutions is Swedish-based ImpulseRadar. “The design of our portfolio provides significant operational and performance benefits while the advanced hardware and easy-to-use interfaces eliminate the need for outsourcing specialists and resources,” says Brian Wright, director of business development at ImpulseRadar.

Founded in 2016 by a group of GPR experts who recognized the value of developing a user-friendly and impeccably designed GPR tool, ImpulseRadar initially focused on developing a 3-D array solution that leveraged real-time sensing technology. Subsequently, after completing its R&D, the company developed its Raptor series of products, which were at least four times faster than any commercially available GPR equipment to detect anomalies and share the data for accurate reporting.

“For example, if a Raptor product is used to scan a highway, there would be no need to restrict traffic flow, or have safety vehicles because the solution would accurately detect anomalies even at full highway speeds,” adds Wright. At the same time, the Raptor series provides a significant improvement in performance and data quality over conventional 3-D GPR offerings. Concurrently, ImpulseRadar also offers its 2-D GPR solutions via the Crossover series, which leverages the same state-of-the-art real-time technology used in Raptor, and combines it with wireless technology to control operations and data acquisition tasks. Another prime differentiating factor for the Crossover series is its true-dual frequency antenna with in-built control electronics and GPS modules. As a result, users can maximize their ability to scan a larger depth range as Crossover offers high resolution in shallow ground layers and deeper penetration for targets lower down.

Further discussing the competencies of ImpulseRadar’s portfolio, Wright further elaborates how the company chose Android as the OS. As the Android OS is largely used worldwide, the company’s solutions simplify user onboarding and training. Furthermore, the company’s real-time sampling technology delivers quicker, clearer, and reliable locates, which maximizes the productivity while minimizing the survey costs. Further ImpulseRadar’s wireless data acquisition approach minimizes operational hassle and simplifies field use while increasing the redundancy by making every android device a potential data-collection unit.

At the core of ImpulseRadar’s unmatched capabilities is its mission to build a simpler and easier GPR system that can be used by a broader user-base. In law enforcement, the company’s portfolio enables agencies to ‘do-more-with-less’ as both the Raptor and Crossover series can scan large areas with only a single operator. At the same time, the portfolio’s ability to quickly collect high-quality data allows law enforcement personnel to minimize instances of missed evidence/information and eliminates the need for outsourcing consulting experts. “We have made GPR technology more accessible and cost-effective to empower smaller investigators in gaining high-quality results at an unprecedented speed,” states Wright.

Moving forward, ImpulseRadar is planning to continue on its rapid growth path and win additional accolades to add to its existing collection of awards that includes Dun and Bradstreet’s AAA award and several others. With respect to law enforcement, the company is enhancing the integration of its portfolio with imaging and detection technologies to help agencies gain insights faster and make better decisions. Above all, Wright wants ImpulseRadar to expand its portfolio's capabilities based on customer feedback and transform the way law enforcement officials leverage GPR.