Scientists have created an infrared body-scanner to help tackle surging violent crime rates.
It combines a standard camera with infra-red technology to detect concealed blades from up to 20ft (6 metres) away and works through heavy clothing and even belts.
The potentially life-saving technology's developers in the UK say it could one day be fitted to handheld cameras and even mobile phones.
If it proves to be a viable option to law enforcement, it may be expanded to include other 'geometrically similar' objects with a similar heat signature, such as stowed handguns.
A proof of concept is expected in six months and if it is successful, has the potential to be implemented across the UK and around the world.
It will focus on scanning large amounts of people at crowded places, including streets, railway stations and major events.
Experts at Nottingham Trent University and Loughborough University who developed the technique say it does all this without exposing an individual's private regions.
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The recently-funded infrared technology builds on ordinary cameras - such as those built into smartphones - to reveal hidden blades (pictured left and right), even when such weapons have been concealed under heavy clothing and belts
Professor Amin Al-Habaibeh at Nottingham Trent University told MailOnline: 'We have tested it on ceramic and metal knives and it works very well.
'It may be applied to items that have a specific geometry and unique IR signature to be spotted by our AI algorithm. For that, guns would be relevant.
'We are developing the technology and the know-how and the rest of it becomes a decision for notional and global police forces as it is tested in the field.'
The researchers are adapting cameras to detect infrared electromagnetic waves and feed their images into a special computer algorithm that can highlight the presence of weapons hidden underneath clothing.
The software is still in testing but has so far yielded positive results and an differentiate between weapons and harmless metallic items such as coins and keys.
This, the developers say, will save invaluable police time by reducing the need for them to conduct throughout searches.
'This technology will enable police to spot concealed weapons from a distance which are hidden under clothing, allowing officers to apprehend those who may be about to commit a serious offence,' said Profssor Al-Habaibeh.
'At the same time – by providing police with improved intelligence – it will reduce the number of unnecessary stop and searches which take place, allowing innocent people to go freely about their business.'
Such searches - which the government recently empowered more police officers to authorise - have proved controversial with the public.
Initial tests of the scanner show that the technology can detect blades concealed within clothing from a distance of up to six metres away.
'More people have started to carry knives without thinking of the consequences,' added Loughborough University engineer Ashraf El-Hamalawi.
'This technology may act as a deterrent and aid with knife crime detection, and maybe it has the potential to save lives.'
'Our design is extremely cost-effective as it is based on existing technologies and ultimately could be made available through everyday mobile phones,' added
