PERTH, AUSTRALIA — A new software tool that has been called a “porn breathalyzer for PCs” is under development by Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, and local police are excited about the results of the beta tests.The software, called Simple Image Preview Live Environment (SImPLE), claims to pick up traces of illicit images within PC files and is designed to be used by even the least computer-savvy law enforcement officers. The developers foresee the product being a boon to anti-child-porn efforts, although they say it also has customs-screening applications.

The software is self-contained on a Linux-bootable CD that can be inserted and run on virtually any computer without affecting or being affected by what’s already on the computer’s hard drive. Suspicious files can be written to a portable DVD writer attached to the subject PC by USB cable.

SImPLE is not designed to be a comprehensive solution. It cannot detect suspicious material in deleted or overwritten files. The developers said their goal was to create a “front-line” detection system that will alert police and border agents to suspicious content. If additional testing was indicated, it would have to be done by forensic experts with more sophisticated tools.

“The design concept is that any police person with adequate training could use the tool, so that when they go into a crime scene they can quickly review a computer for illicit images or videos,” Associate Professor Craig Valli told The Register. “It is not digging down into the hard drive to find anything that has been deleted. It is just what is topically available.”

The developers say evidence obtained by the product will be acceptable to Australian courts. They hope to market the product worldwide when it is released in February.