Corporate report

Counter-Terrorism and Security

Updated 29 November 2023

The Counter-terrorism and Security (CTS) division of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) provides scientific advice, solutions, concepts and operational support to protect the UK and its citizens against threats, both from around the world and on home soil, including hostile states, terrorism and serious crime. We work closely with the armed forces, police forces, security services, partners across government and international allies.

Our work includes:

• forensics, biometrics and intelligence
• detection of explosives, contraband and people
• protection against threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), weapons and drones
• research and evaluation of new technologies for the armed forces and police

We provide around-the-clock rapid response capabilities and our staff are frequently deployed to provide on-the-ground scientific expertise and experimentation in the UK and overseas.

Much of the division’s work is highly classified, but some recent examples include:

• development of Latent Fingerprint Technology to uncover previously unrecognisable fingerprints; this has recently been used to make an arrest in relation to a 1983 murder in the USA
• inventing a new microphone array system to improve surveillance systems, for example improving audio quality and portability, to support law enforcement investigations and operations
• using science and technology to help address the risks posed by the malicious and illegal use of drones, such as drone intrusion into airspace
• identifying less-lethal weapons technologies that can be used by law enforcement officers, enabling them to resolve a situation before it escalates to a level where firearms would otherwise have to be used

Read more about some of our recent projects.

Areas we cover

A lot of our work is understandably secret, to help keep the nation and the people who work for us safe, so this isn’t a comprehensive list.

Electronic Warfare and Communications

The Electronic Warfare and Communications Group supports both the military and other government departments and works primarily on:

• future positioning of electronic countermeasures
• wireless communications and electronic surveillance
• electromagnetic compatibility (ensuring that systems do not interfere with other systems)
• radio-frequency directed energy weapons

Emerging Concepts and Technologies

The Emerging Concepts and Technologies Group directs the division’s activities in novel and future-facing technologies for the benefit of the counter-terrorism community. It also includes the division’s specialist capabilities in operational research analysis, systems engineering, maths and statistics, and a team conducting world-leading research into laser and plasma physics.

Energetic Technologies

The Energetic Technologies Group has expertise in propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics. The Group’s work includes developing and evaluating technologies for explosive ordnance disposal, countermeasures and working detection animals, as well as fundamental energetics research. The Group is also home to Dstl’s Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives degree-level apprenticeship scheme.

Threat Detection Group

The Threat Detection Group provides science and technology, technical support and expert advice on the detection, identification and characterisation of explosive substances and related materials, plus other contraband. The group is home to the Forensic Explosives Laboratory.

Exploitation and Biometrics

The Exploitation and Biometrics Group supports military and law enforcement with forensic capabilities and research, including biometrics, fingerprinting and the examination of media devices and weapons.

Project Delivery

The Project Delivery Group brings together the division’s project delivery professionals, who manage our high-impact science and technology, working closely with technical and scientific staff.

Sensing and Surveillance

The Sensing and Surveillance Group provides support to operations and advice on command, control, communications, computing, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR), and search and detection capabilities to defence and security users.

Technical Support

The Technical Support Group provides professional facilities, trials and logistical support to the division and the rest of Dstl, to enable delivery of research and operational work. This includes providing bespoke trials and engineering solutions, instrumentation, and managing, storing and transporting explosive items. The Group is also home to Dstl’s 100-metre indoor range facility and engineering apprentices.

Work for Dstl

The work we do here is unique. We’re at the cutting-edge of science and technology, working on sensitive projects that will make a real difference to keeping the people of the UK safe. And our staff get all the benefits of working with the Civil Service, such as flexibility and training opportunities, while getting to work with some of the best minds across industry and academia.

Sound good? All our job opportunities are advertised on Civil Service Jobs.

Our current team say:

Dstl gives you a unique insight into the scientific and engineering world of defence that in my opinion and experience, isn’t possible anywhere else. If you grasp the opportunities that will be presented to you, then a rewarding career awaits.

This work has taken me across the world, I’ve been involved with trials at home in the UK and overseas in France and the USA, and I’ve had the privilege of working alongside serving members of the armed forces.

I feel Dstl is a forward thinking technical organisation, with endless opportunities for staff to learn and train to meet the scientific and engineering challenges of today and the future.

Find out more about Dstl and the benefits of working for us.