Airport security part 4: Attack of the body scanners!

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What would you have them do?

Full disclosure: I work in the security industry, including systems used at airports.

No, the magnetometers, or metal detectors, don't detect non-metallic explosive agents. The X-ray systems can help detect suspicious objects to some degree, but those are easily bypassed if the agent can be carried on the person. Anybody with an advanced knowledge of chemistry could probably slip a combination of inert agents through that, when combined, are destructive.

There's been lots of work, especially from GE Security, to improve the technology to pick up such agents. The puffer systems in place at some locations, like Denver and the D.C. area airports, are one such example. The millimeter wave systems, like described here, are another attempt, and while I understand the intent, I'm torn over the application. Several other companies have previously demonstrated similar systems that can be projected into crowds to enable bulge detection of foreign objects without revealing dermal-level images.

Unfortunately, any system used has to pass TSA approval, a process that is painstakingly long and heavily political. The only reason, I think, that the existing systems are even in place is because they were already present before the new security measures were put in place and the airports needed something, even if they were insufficient. I've watched people slip through with Zippo lighters in their pockets without a blip from the systems. That's a significant chuck of metal. If those can slide through, what else is?

Posted by: MariusSilverwolf   Posted on: 07/04/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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