BioWatch program

Definition
The BioWatch program is a Department of Homeland Security program that deploys detectors to collect data that are then analyzed to detect the presence of specific biological agents.

Overview
DHS has two ongoing efforts to improve the detection technology used by the BioWatch program. First, the Directorate for Science and Technology (S&T) within DHS is developing next-generation detectors for the BioWatch program. DHS plans for this new technology to collect air samples and automatically test the samples for a broader range of biological agents than the current technology.

Under the current system, samples are manually collected and taken to a laboratory for analysis. DHS planned to operationally test and evaluate the new automatic technology in April 2009 and to begin replacing its existing detection technology in 2010.