Thanks, @Peter+Apps . I reached out to ConsumerPhysics for more information. They said that scanning animal ivories for identification purposes is likely to be feasible with SCiO and that others may be considering this application as well. 

They confirmed that SCiO uses NIR spectroscopy for classification between different substances, providing that the molecular fingerprints are different enough from each other. It sounds like they did a basic feasibility test that "showed promise in classifying ivory samples from different kinds of animals - elephant, mammoth, hippopotamus and walrus, as well as plastic mock-ivory samples. The corresponding molecular sensing models and applications will have to be developed further for better insight. This may be developed in the future either by us or by the SCiO developer community using the SCiO Development Toolkit, which allows users to create models and apps." 

They suggested that a user would need to take two things into consideration when working toward this application: "First, as SCiO’s detection threshold varies by material, and is typically 0.1%-1%, some micro-nutrients will not be detectable. This requires further research. In addition, it should be noted that building the database for such an application requires access to samples and their chemical characteristics."  

More info on DevKit SDK is online here: https://www.consumerphysics.com/myscio/developers/ and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wDLSF0ZkIA. I have no experience with this technology and no connection to ConsumerPhysics, but it sounds interesting.

I think this could be a good research project for someone in the WILDLABS community. With the scope of our network, gaining access to samples should not be a challenge.

It sounds like @David+Baisch at Conservation X Labs just ordered a SCiO spec and developer's kit to test its sensitivity. They're interested in seeing whether the device can be used to differentiate beteween tree species in treated and untreated wood products. Looking forward to learning more about that process!

Hi Gautam,

I think the best way is have them read the thread, and then get back to me with questions - I can then respond on a case-by-case basis.  Our website is here: http://www.marsomega.com.  We have not yet updated it to make public our involvement in countering wildlife crime, but that will be done shortly.

On disclosure, Hamish is actually in Kenya from tomorrow, and he is talking to our Kenyan partners to make sure they are happy to have this information made more freely available.  We necessarily are being very discreet.

On scaling - as one of the 16 Prize WInners in the Wildlfe Criem Tech Challenge, we have only just started talking to the competition sponsors about acceleration and scaling.  Once we have established that process and have more information ourselves, I will be happy to discuss this further.

Best regards,

Anthony