On Christmas Day in 2009, a terrorist attempted to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253, with plastic explosives that were sewn into his pants. Dubbed the “Underwear Bomber”, this incident sparked a flurry of activity for the TSA (Transportation Security Administration). Measures were taken to tighten security, in order to avoid having any other explosives ever make it past security checkpoints. One of the security measures that has recently been subject to a lot of controversy, is the “Full Body Scanners” that have begun to make their way into airports.
What is a Full Body Scanner?
A full body scanner is a device that is able to detect items hidden under clothing. The scanner does this by creating a full 3-D image of a person, complete with detailed body contours. The scanners are effective at detecting contraband that may be hidden on a person’s body.
How Does a Full Body Scanner Work?
There are currently two different types of scanning technology that are used in full body scanners: millimeter wave scanners, and backscatter scanners. A millimeter wave scanner is able to use radio waves that are of extremely high frequencies, which are decoded in order to produce a 3-D image. A backscatter scanner makes use of high-energy rays that scatter when they hit solid materials. This allows a backscatter scanner to create a detailed image of the person being scanned.
An example of one type of Full Body Scanner.
Do Full Body Scanners Take Nude Pictures?
A full body scanner is able to strip away any items of clothing that a person is wearing, essentially producing a nude representation of a person. This allows the person screening the scans to see details that could represent concealed objects. However, it is true that the full body scanner does produce a “naked” representation of airline passengers, which is why full body scanners are subject to so much controversy.
Which Airports Have Full Body Scanners?
Currently, there are 40 active full body scanners at 19 different airports.
Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ)
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL)
Baltimore-Washington International (BWI)
Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport (DFW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
Las Vegas-McCarran Airport (LAS)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
Washington DC’s Reagan National (DCA)
Amsterdam-Schipol Airport (AMS)
However, there are 11 more airports that are currently in the process of receiving them. This list includes:
Boston Logan International Airport
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Mineta San Jose International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Port Columbus Unternational Airport
Oakland International Airport
San Diego International Airport
Kansas City International Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
By the end of this year, the TSA hopes to have over 450 full body scanners active in airports across the United States. By 2011, the TSA projects that over 1200 full body scanners will be used.
Are Full Body Scans Required?
Under the current airport security protocols, you have the right to refuse a full body scan when boarding a plane. In the event that you refuse, you will be taken to another location in which you may receive a pat-down, a scan with a hand-scanner, swabs that can detect explosives, and other tests.
Are Full Body Scanners Open to Abuse?
Much of the controversy about full body scanners centers around the fact that yes, it is possible for the data images taken by the scanners to be abused. Concern has particularly been focused on the potential for abuse in images of celebrities, children and women. The TSA has attempted to assuage these fears by pledging that the images are deleted after the scan, and will never be used elsewhere. However, many people still feel uncomfortable with the possibility that these scan photos represent a breach in privacy.
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/12/30/airline.terror.scanners/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/03/05/body.scanners.airports/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwear_bomber
http://ivarfjeld.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/airport-security-line.jpg
