Iraqis are using a bomb detector that operates on the principle of “electrostatic magnetic ion attraction”. The physics behind this device is a mystery, since the existence of magnetic ions is unknown to conventional science, so I can’t comment on why explosive material would have more (or fewer?) magnetic ions than other materials – which is presumably the basis for bomb detection.
The company that makes the apparatus acknowledges your skepticism: “One of the problems we have is that the machine does look primitive. We are working on a new model that has flashing lights.” That new model may not be enough to save the company’s director, though. This NYT editorial implies that corruption – rather than “legitimate” bad science – explains this fiasco.