Metal detection systems currently available to the general public ordinarily verify the presence of conductive material, not the shape. Shape detection is important for discrimination between dangerous and benign items. Test setups are developed useful for identifying the value of microwaves for shape detection behind selected material types. The behavior of this electromagnetic energy in homogeneous, isotropic, locally linear, temporally dispersive material is examined in the time and frequency domains. The results of the evaluations determine the behavior of continuous-wave microwave radiation and microwave pulses in such media. A unique method is then developed for detecting the shape of concealed conductive objects utilizing pulsed microwave ultrawideband spectra.