Main content

Sniffing Out Danger

What would it be like to have a sniffer dog's nose? Amber Marks explores the science of olfactory detection, asking if wrongdoing can really be pinpointed through smell alone.

Breathe deeply - what can you smell? We live in a landscape of scents - but unlike sniffer dogs, we don't have the ability to identify and read them. Until now. Scientists are training not just dogs, but bees, mice and electronic noses to sniff out security threats by odour alone. Amber Marks explores the growth of olfactory surveillance, finding out about the challenges of harnessing and mimicking nature, and asking about the implications of harnessing this world of scents.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Thu 21 Jun 2012 21:00

Broadcasts

  • Tue 19 Jun 2012 11:00
  • Thu 21 Jun 2012 21:00