Jazmin Li
Airport body scanners are designed to detect potential threats, such as metallic and non-metallic objects, hidden beneath clothing. While older backscatter X-ray machines allowed officers to see through passengers' clothing in graphic detail, newer machines use Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) paired with Automated Target Recognition (ATR) software to anonymize the images presented to officers. These machines use electromagnetic waves or low-energy X-rays to create a generic avatar or data map of the human anatomy, ensuring passenger privacy while maintaining security. While the scanners cannot see through metal or body cavities, they can detect the presence of organic materials, which may include drugs, and outline the shape of underwear, occasionally revealing hazy images of private parts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can airport scanners see through clothing? | Yes, including backscatter and millimeter-wave scanners. |
| How do they work? | Scanners use low-energy x-rays or non-ionizing radiofrequency waves that reflect off the skin and bounce back an image, which is then interpreted by the machine. |
| Can they see through underwear? | No, but the outlines of underwear can be seen. TSA agents have reported a hazy image of private parts. |
| What do the images show? | Images show a generic human form or avatar, with potential threats or forbidden items highlighted. |
| Can they detect drugs? | No, but they can detect metallic and non-metallic items. |
| Can you avoid the scanners? | Yes, by using pre-check lanes at most airports, which have regular metal detectors. |
| How to avoid pat-downs? | Wear clothing without metal, avoid sweating or wet clothes, and stand in a way that appears confident and self-assured. |
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What You'll Learn
Airport scanners can see through clothes
Airport body scanners use Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) to detect metallic and non-metallic threats on passengers in a matter of seconds. While the machines can "see" under your clothes, what officers see on their screens is a generic outline, like a stick figure or gingerbread man, rather than a detailed image of your naked body.
Millimetre wave scanners send millimetre waves through clothing, which reflect off the passenger's skin and any concealed items, bouncing an image back to the machine. While older machines displayed detailed images of passengers' bodies, newer machines use Automated Target Recognition (ATR) software to protect passenger privacy.
The scanners are looking for bumps where they shouldn't be and a lack of bumps where they should be. This can cause issues for transgender passengers, as the machines will flag penises and binders as suspicious. However, passengers can sign up for pre-check to avoid this issue.
Privacy Concerns
The use of backscatter X-ray machines in U.S. airports, which allowed TSA personnel to see through passengers' clothing in graphic detail, caused public outcry and raised concerns about passengers' privacy. In response to this, the TSA retired the use of backscatter machines in 2013 and introduced the new system of AIT paired with ATR software.
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Scanners use x-ray technology
X-ray scanners are used in airports to detect both metallic and non-metallic contraband hidden underneath clothing. They can also be used to detect items hidden in body cavities, such as drugs carried by drug couriers. The use of X-ray scanners in airports has raised some health concerns, and the dose of radiation per person is regulated by the American radiation safety standard for personal search systems using gamma or X-ray radiation.
In addition to X-ray scanners, there are also millimeter-wave scanners, which use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation to detect objects. These scanners send millimeter waves toward a passenger's insides, which pass through clothing and reflect off the passenger's skin and any other concealed objects, bouncing back an image that is interpreted by the machine. Millimeter-wave scanners do not generate ionizing radiation, but there are still concerns about the potential health risks associated with their use.
To address privacy concerns, airport body scanners typically provide a nondescript avatar image of the human anatomy rather than an image of the passenger's naked body. This generic human form, sometimes referred to as a "gingerbread man" or "paper doll," is used to ensure passenger privacy while maintaining security effectiveness. Passengers who are uncomfortable with the scanning process can usually opt for a traditional pat-down instead.
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Scanners can detect objects under clothing
The waves or X-rays emitted by these scanners pass through clothing and reflect off the passenger's skin and any concealed objects, creating an image that is interpreted by the machine. This image is not detailed or X-rated but rather appears as a nondescript avatar of the human anatomy, often referred to as a "gingerbread man" or "paper doll" to protect passenger privacy.
The scanners are designed to detect potential threats, including metallic and non-metallic objects, and identify forbidden items. They can also detect medical equipment, such as colostomy bags and catheters, which may lead to additional screening and cause feelings of embarrassment or harassment, particularly for the transgender community.
In addition to X-ray-based and millimeter-wave scanners, there are also infrared thermal conductivity scanners, which do not use electromagnetic radiation. Instead, they rely on temperature differences on the surface of clothing to detect foreign objects. These scanners are less commonly used compared to the other types.
While airport scanners can generally detect objects under clothing, they are not capable of seeing through underwear. They may, however, detect the outlines of underwear, and in some cases, a hazy image of private parts may be visible.
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Scanners produce generic images to protect privacy
Airport scanners, including backscatter and millimeter-wave scanners, can see through clothes. Backscatter scanners use low-energy x-rays that reflect the x-rays back to the machine, while millimeter-wave scanners use low-energy non-ionizing radio-frequency waves. Both types of scanners are full-body scanners used in airports worldwide.
While airport scanners can see through clothing, they are designed so that they cannot see through underwear. Instead, only the outlines of underwear can be seen. However, TSA agents have reported that a hazy image of private parts can sometimes be observed.
Airport scanners work by using x-ray technology to construct detailed images of whatever is scanned. The machines send millimeter waves toward a passenger's insides. These waves reflect off the passenger's skin and bounce back an image, which is interpreted by the machine. The body scanners provide a nondescript avatar image of the human anatomy, which looks like a gingerbread man or paper doll. This generic human form is used to ensure passenger privacy while maintaining security effectiveness.
In the past, older machines that are no longer used in checkpoints did not have privacy protections in place. Officers located in a remote area away from passengers could see under clothing, but to protect passenger identity, the officer viewing the scans was unable to see the identity of the passenger being screened.
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Scanners can see through multiple layers of clothing
Airport scanners, including backscatter and millimeter-wave scanners, can see through clothing. Backscatter scanners use low-energy x-rays that reflect the x-rays back to the machine. Millimeter-wave scanners use low-energy non-ionizing radio-frequency waves to see through clothes. Both millimeter-wave and backscatter scanners are full-body scanners used in airports worldwide.
Airport scanners are designed so that they cannot see through underwear. Instead, only the outlines of underwear can be seen. However, TSA agents have reported that a hazy image of private parts can sometimes be seen. Airport scanners use x-ray technology to construct detailed images of whatever is scanned. The range of energy that passes through an airport scanner means that items show up as either orange, green, or blue/black. The scanners are not able to detect drugs hidden in clothing.
The body scanners provide a nondescript avatar image of the human anatomy. Images reveal items that might be on the skin or inside clothing. This generic human form is used to ensure passenger privacy while maintaining security effectiveness. Body scanners are looking for items that could be potential threats, not the physical body.
In China, a full-body scanner has been developed using space radar technology. This scanner can see through 30 items of clothing and produce images with remarkable clarity. It can very clearly see a small logo on a person's underwear, even if they are wearing a coat.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, airport scanners can see through clothes. They can detect objects hidden beneath clothing, but the image presented to officers is completely anonymized. No private body parts are exposed, and the operator never sees your actual physical form.
Airport scanners use a technology called Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) for full-body scans. Millimeter-wave scanners use low-energy non-ionizing radiofrequency waves to see through clothes. Backscatter scanners, which are no longer used, used low-energy x-rays that reflect back to the machine.
Airport scanners cannot detect drugs directly, but they can provide visual clues of drugs hidden under clothes. Organic materials such as drugs, food, explosives, and paper are marked with an orange color.
