Explosive Detection
HI-SCAN 6040 aTiX X-ray system from Smiths Detection detects liquids in carry-on bags
exterior of the items it inspects. dignity whilst at the same time There is an inherent contradiction in the
CompactSafe is able to extract any type effectively detecting the presence of argument for use of such ‘privacy’
of explosive trace, in both solid and explosives. The first is to sniff people for software as a moderating factor in trying
liquid form. In October Traceguard trace contamination of explosives, to win public acceptance of whole body
completed a second successful pilot whilst the second is to image their imaging, when at the same time arguing
programme of the CompactSafe system bodies by visualisation methods that that whole body imaging is needed to
Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport. penetrate their clothing. The increase security levels.
X-ray still has a role to play. In October, sniffing/trace portal method does not Since 6 million passengers a day
Smiths Detection won a contract worth fundamentally violate personal privacy. board aircraft around the world and on
$21million from the USA’s However, the imaging portal method most days none of them are terrorists,
Transportation Security Administration does face personal privacy issues. a reasonable question is whether the
for their aTiX (Advanced Threat Regarding the efficiency of both probability of the threat, for any
Identification X-ray) – the X-ray machine approaches, an explosive trace portal individual passenger, really merits
that can automatically detect explosives removes and concentrates samples off going to the extreme of asking them to
and liquids at passenger checkpoints. the body and clothes, then be viewed in the nude? The answer
The company describe the aTiX as a, automatically analyses these, which may be, only if there are no other
“next-generation advancement in removes the problem of human error. options available and lives would be
security checkpoint X-ray systems”. The However, imaging requires a person to lost otherwise.
contract follows successful trials run by interpret images in order to identify a
the TSA at airports in the United States. device by its shape. This is subjective
Meanwhile, in the UK, Smiths have and proven to be susceptible to human
secured a contract to supply aTiX to the error and abuse. “…whole body
BAA worth even more. In a programme As far as fooling the detectors; the
already underway, Smiths are supplying whole body imaging system cannot see imaging systems
the systems to equip Heathrow’s new items placed underneath feet, under
Terminal 5 (set to open on Thursday armpits, in the crotch area or inside cannot see items
27th March 2008) and replace all body cavities. The use of privacy
existing checkpoint X-ray machines in software to block private parts from view placed underneath
other terminals and at other BAA by screeners is sometimes used to
airports around the country. alleviate privacy issues. The problem feet, under armpits,
with this is that it then creates an
Passenger Dignity additional area for concealment, around in the crotch area or
There are generally two different the groin.
approaches being used today to Some consider the issue of privacy inside body
safeguard the individual’s liberty and software to be a double-edged sword.
cavities…”
20 December 2007 Aviationsecurityinternational
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