The prevention of terrorist attack requires the detection of bombs, bomb makers, and bomb placers. There has been a huge increase in research within this area through both the development of new innovative detection approaches and the improvement of existing techniques. Developments for miniaturization, portability, field ruggedisation and improvements in stand-off distances, selectivity and sensitivity have been an urgent need. This lecture provides a consolidation of information relating to recent advances in explosive detection techniques. It also shades the light on unconventional approaches for explosive detection. The main impetus of this lecture is to reveal novel ways for military forces as well as home land security.