How the Heartbeat Detector® Works

A Proven, Non-Intrusive Approach to Vehicle Screening

Correctional facilities need vehicle screening solutions that are fast, reliable, and built for real-world operations. While traditional inspection methods and X-ray systems focus on what a vehicle is carrying, the Heartbeat Detector focuses on who may be hidden inside it-addressing one of the most dangerous gaps in checkpoint security.

The Heartbeat Detector is not experimental technology. It is a mature, field-proven solution that has protected secure facilities worldwide for decades. Today, it is being reintroduced to U.S. correctional facilities in a modernized form factor-purpose-built for speed, safety, and operational efficiency under the Geospace Technologies brand.

The Science Behind the Heartbeat Detector®

Every human heartbeat creates a subtle mechanical vibration. These vibrations travel through the body and into surrounding materials such as vehicle frames, cargo containers, and structural components.

The Heartbeat Detector uses highly sensitive seismic sensors to passively listen for these microscopic vibrations. Unlike cameras or imaging systems, it does not rely on line-of-sight, lighting conditions, or operator interpretation. If a living person is present-regardless of how well concealed-their heartbeat produces a detectable signal.

This allows correctional teams to identify human presence without opening vehicles, unloading cargo, or dismantling shipments.

From National Laboratories to Correctional Facilities

The Heartbeat Detector technology was originally developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for high-security government applications. It was designed to answer one critical question: Is there a living person hidden where they should not be?

Sine its introduction in the mid-1990's, the Heartbeat Detector has been deployed globally at:

• Correctional facilities
• Border crossings and ports of entry
• Military and government installations

Its long deployment history demonstrates reliability in demanding, high-risk environments where failure is not an option.

How the Heartbeat Detector® Screening Process Works

The Heartbeat Detector is intentionally designed for simplicity and speed at vehicle checkpoints. A typical screening process includes:

1. Sensor placement - Sensors are temporarily attached to the exterior of the vehicle or container.
2. Passive listening - The system listens for heartbeat-induced vibrations; no radiation, scanning, or emissions are used.
3. Automated analysis - Advanced signal processing filters out background noise and vehicle movement.
4. Clear result - The system delivers a clear pass or search required result, typically in under one minute.

Each screening event is digitally recorded, creating a reliable operational record without adding steps to the process.

Why the Heartbeat Detector® Excels In Correctional Environments

Correctional facilities face unique operational constraints-tight schedules, high vehicle throughput, staffing limitations, and elevated safety risks. The Heartbeat Detector is purpose-built to align with these realities.

Non-Intrusive by Design: Unlike X-ray systems, the Heartbeat Detector introduces no radiation exposure and requires no specialized infrastructure or shielding.

Fast and Workflow-Friendly: Vehicles are screened quickly at sally ports and truck gates without disrupting deliveries or facility operations.

Purpose-Built for Human Detection: The Heartbeat Detector is focused on one critical security question: Is a person concealed inside this vehicle? This clarity reduces reliance on manual searches and subjective judgment.

Built-In Accountability: The Heartbeat Detector's software automatically logs who conducted each screening, when it occurred, and the resulting outcome. This creates a transparent audit trail that supports internal accountability, procedural compliance, and post-incident review-an increasingly important requirement for modern correctional operations.

Consistent and Objective: Automated signal processing ensures consistent screening results, regardless of who operates the system, reducing variability across shifts and facilities.

Modernized for Today's Correctional Needs: While the core science behind the Heartbeat Detector remains proven and unchanged, the system has been modernized for today's correctional environments. Under the Geospace Technologies brand, the Heartbeat Detector is now offered in a compact, modern form factor designed for ease of deployment, durability, and minimal training requirements. To further support adoption, Geospace offers a cost-efficient leasing modelthat allows correctional agencies to deploy advanced human detection technology without large upfront capital expenditures.

A Smarter Layer of Vehicle Screening Security

The Heartbeat Detector is not a replacement for layered security-it strengthens it. By adding a dedicated human-detection capability at vehicle checkpoints, correctional facilities gain a powerful safeguard that complements existing perimeter controls, surveillance systems, and officer expertise.

When the risk is human concealment, the solution should be designed to detect humans-and to document every decision made at the gate.