Roberta Aguirre
Airport body scanners have been the subject of much debate and controversy since their introduction. In the UK, full-body scanners were deemed a risk to human rights and a potential violation of the Protection of Children Act of 1978 due to their creation of images or pseudo-images of nude children. While these scanners use millimetre wave imaging technology to detect objects on or inside a person's body, including non-metallic items, they do not see under the skin or reveal internal body parts. Instead, they generate a generic human shape outline, and in the UK, the images are not saved, transmitted, or printed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To detect threats and contraband items |
| Technology | Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), millimetre wave scanner |
| Detection | Metal and non-metal objects, including explosives |
| Privacy | Does not reveal naked body, only a generic human shape |
| Safety | Safe for pregnant people, children, and those with medical implants |
| Health Risks | Non-ionizing radiation, lower than mobile phones and sunlight |
| Alternative | Physical search or hand search is possible |
| Accuracy | May flag unexpected items, e.g., sweat, cysts, skin lesions |
| Deployment | Used in airports in the US, Canada, UK, India, and some African countries |
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What You'll Learn
Body scanners cannot see inside you
Body scanners used in airports in the UK cannot see inside you. They use millimetre wave imaging technology to detect objects that may be concealed under clothing, but they do not reveal your naked body or the insides of your body. Instead, security staff see a generic human shape that resembles a doll. This is the same for every traveller going through an airport scanner.
Millimetre wave technology only checks the contour of the body, so it cannot detect what is inside a person's body or under their skin. This means that items inside body cavities, such as drugs or hazardous liquids, will not be picked up by the scanner.
In the UK, body scanners may be used at railway stations, but not at airports. The UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission has argued that full-body scanners are a risk to human rights and might be breaking the law. The UK government has also supplied higher-radiation through-body X-ray machines to Ghana and Nigeria, which can see through flesh, but these are not used in the UK.
Body scanners are safe for pregnant people and those with medical implants such as pacemakers, and they emit much less energy than a standard cellphone.
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They use millimetre wave imaging technology
Airport body scanners use millimetre wave imaging technology to detect objects concealed underneath a person's clothing. This technology uses electromagnetic radiation in the form of millimetre waves, a type of microwave, to scan a person's body. The waves are reflected off the person's skin and create an image that is interpreted by the machine. This allows the scanners to detect both metallic and non-metallic objects.
Millimetre wave imaging technology has been specifically designed to address privacy concerns. Unlike X-ray technology, millimetre wave technology does not reveal what is inside a person's body. It only checks the contour of the body and does not produce detailed images of the surface of the skin. Instead, it displays any detected objects on a generic body outline, often referred to as a 'gingerbread man' or 'mannequin' image. This outline is the same for every traveller and does not include any specific identifying features.
The technology is also considered safe for all passengers, including pregnant women, children, and those with medical implants such as pacemakers. Millimetre waves emit much less energy than other forms of radiation, such as UV rays or the radiation emitted by mobile phones, and are non-ionizing. This means they are incapable of causing cancers or other health issues and do not pose a risk to passengers' health.
Millimetre wave imaging technology has been further developed for use in handheld devices, which can provide high-resolution 3D images. These systems aim to address the issue of motion errors in handheld devices, which can cause significant degradation of the images. By introducing a reference target, these new systems can correct phase errors and produce high-fidelity 3D images from distorted signals.
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They detect metallic and non-metallic items
In the UK, airport body scanners use millimetre wave imaging technology to detect metallic and non-metallic items. This technology is safe for pregnant women, children, and those with medical implants such as pacemakers.
Millimetre wave scanners emit low-energy, non-ionizing radiation to detect threats. They send waves towards a passenger's insides, which go through clothing and reflect off the skin and any concealed items. The waves then bounce back an image, which is interpreted by the machine. This image is not of the naked body or the insides of the body, but rather a generic human shape, without any specific identifying features, that resembles a doll or gingerbread man.
The scanners can detect a wide range of metallic and non-metallic threats in a matter of seconds. This includes weapons, explosive materials, and other items in violation of TSA carry-on rules. They can also detect organic materials, such as drugs, food, explosives, or paper.
It is important to note that millimetre wave imaging technology does not detect items inside a passenger's body or penetrate the skin. It is also certified as safe for passengers, emitting 10,000 times less energy than what is permitted by a standard cellphone.
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They cannot detect health issues like tumours
In the UK, airport body scanners use millimetre wave imaging technology to detect objects that may be concealed under clothing. This technology is safe for pregnant women, children, and those with medical implants such as pacemakers.
Millimetre wave scanners are distinct from X-ray technology in that they only check the contour of the body. They do not reveal the inside of a person's body and, therefore, cannot detect health issues like tumours or inflammation.
According to Shawna Malvini Redden, PhD, author of 101 Pat-Downs and a communication researcher who has studied the TSA since 2010:
> Essentially, the machines send millimetre waves toward a passenger's insides. The waves go through clothing and reflect off the passenger's skin (and whatever else is concealed) and bounce back an image, which is interpreted by the machine.
Malvini Redden also notes that because body scanners don't see under the skin, they won't pick up anything stashed inside a body cavity, such as drugs or hazardous liquids.
In the US and Canada, full-body scanners do not use X-ray technology. Instead, they use millimetre wave technology, which is safe for pregnant people and those with breast implants.
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You can opt for a physical search instead
In the UK, passengers selected at random for a full-body scan at the airport have the option to refuse the scan and request a physical search instead. However, doing so may result in being banned from the flight.
According to the UK Department of Transport, passengers have the right to opt for an alternative screening method, such as an enhanced hand search in private. It is recommended to print out and carry the relevant directive to show to security staff, as they may not be aware of this right.
While body scanners use technology that detects metallic and non-metallic threats, they do not see under the skin or reveal internal body parts. The scanners use millimetre waves that reflect off the skin and bounce back an image, which is interpreted by the machine. This image is analysed by a computer and is not transmitted, saved, or printed.
Passengers with medical implants, such as pacemakers, breast implants, or an ostomy pouch, should inform the security agent before the screening. It is also safe for pregnant women and children to pass through the scanners.
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Frequently asked questions
No, airport body scanners in the UK cannot see inside your body. They use millimetre wave imaging technology to detect objects that could be concealed under clothing, but they do not reveal what's inside a person's body.
Airport body scanners generate a gender-neutral outline of a passenger's body, rather than an actual image, so it is impossible to identify individuals. The scanners use an Automatic Threat Recognition and Detection functionality to digitally look for possible threats.
Yes, in the UK, individuals may opt out of being scanned. However, they will then have to be screened by an alternative method, such as an enhanced hand search.
