Stock-based Compensation, Equity Grants, and Warrants - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total compensation expense	$ 72	$ 78	$ 346	$ 295
Total unrecognized expense	302	423	302	423
DLH Employees
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total unrecognized expense	177	273	177	273
Non-employee Directors
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total unrecognized expense	125	150	125	150
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses \| DLH Employees
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total compensation expense	72	78	169	186
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses \| Non-employee Directors
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total compensation expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 177	$ 109
Long Term Incentive Plan 2006 \| Employee Stock Option
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Number of shares available for grant	0.9		0.9
Expiration term			10 years

The period of time, from the grant date until the time at which the share-based award expires.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

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- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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