EXHIBIT 23.1

                 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To THERMEDICS DETECTION INC.:

    As  independent  public  accountants,  we hereby  consent  to the use of our
reports dated February 3, 1997 (except with respect to the matters  discussed in
Note 9 as to which the date is March 26,  1997)  (and to all  references  to our
Firm)  included  in or made a part of this  Registration  Statement  and related
Prospectus of Thermedics Detection Inc.

                                         ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
July 23, 1997