X-Ray Vision: Can Airport Scanners Detect Cash?

Airport X-ray scanners can detect even the smallest amounts of metal and paper, and they can calculate the mass and density of the contents of your luggage. This means that airport X-ray scanners can detect money, especially if it is arranged in bundles. However, it is unclear whether they can detect the exact amount of money. In the US, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can seize large sums of money from passengers if they suspect it is connected to drug-related crimes.

Airport scanners can detect paper and metal

Airport scanners use X-rays to examine the contents of carry-on luggage. These X-rays are electromagnetic waves with high energy levels, allowing them to penetrate various materials. The X-rays pass through the items, and a detector picks them up. The detector then sends the X-rays to a filter, which blocks the lower-energy X-rays, and the remaining high-energy X-rays hit a second detector. This process helps distinguish between low-energy and high-energy objects, such as organic materials.

The scanners can detect metallic and non-metallic objects, as well as organic materials. They can determine the density and mass of items in the luggage. While they may not always identify the exact objects, they can distinguish between organic and inorganic materials, with the former being marked in orange as most explosives fall under this category.

In addition to the scanners, some airports also have chemical sniffers to detect any traces of chemicals used in bombs. These sniffers can be handheld, walk-through, or desktop models and are used to detect explosives and narcotics.

Trading cards can be confused with cash

Trading cards are usually made of paperboard or thick paper and often contain an image of a person, place, or thing, along with a description and other text. They are commonly associated with sports, but can also feature cartoons, comic book characters, and television series. Due to their paper composition, trading cards can be mistaken for cash by airport X-ray machines, which detect paper and metal.

Airport X-ray machines use electromagnetic waves to scan luggage and detect objects inside. These X-rays are more energetic than light waves, allowing them to penetrate various materials. The machines typically operate within a range of 140 to 160 kilovolt peak (KVP), with higher KVP resulting in greater penetration.

Dual-energy X-ray systems, commonly used in airports, employ a single X-ray source. The X-rays pass through a detector, a filter, and then another detector. The detector picks up the X-rays after they have passed through the scanned item. The filter blocks out lower-energy X-rays, allowing only high-energy X-rays to pass through to the second detector. This process helps identify low-energy objects, particularly organic materials, which are typically coloured orange on the display monitor.

While X-ray machines can distinguish between inorganic, metallic, and organic materials, they may not always identify specific objects. For example, while they can detect paper and metal in currency, they may not differentiate it from other items with similar compositions, such as trading cards. Therefore, if a large number of trading cards are bundled together, they could be mistaken for cash by airport X-ray scanners.

Cash can be kept in pockets during security checks

Airport scanners can detect the smallest amount of metal and paper, so it is likely that they will detect cash. However, it is permissible to keep cash in your pocket during security checks. If you are uncomfortable with placing your cash in your carry-on bag and sending it through the X-ray machine, you can keep it in your pocket and inform the TSA agent when you come out of the scanner. Alternatively, you can hold it in your hand while going through the full-body scanner. They will then check your cash manually.

If you are carrying a large sum of cash, it is advisable to notify the TSA screener. This is because airport security may suspect that large amounts of cash are related to drug trafficking. They may ask you to elaborate on your occupation and income, and a drug-sniffing dog may be brought in, as paper currency often carries the scent of narcotics. If the authorities suspect that the money is connected to drug trafficking, they may seize it, and you will have to appeal for its return.

Cash can be seized by the TSA on suspicion of drug money

Airport X-ray machines can detect cash, especially if it is bundled or in large amounts. While the TSA does not have the authority to seize cash, they can detain a passenger on suspicion of carrying drug money. This is because cash, in large amounts, is considered suspicious and could indicate drug trafficking or money laundering.

TSA screeners are known to work with law enforcement officers to find ways to seize money from travellers. If a large sum of money is detected, a TSA screener may send a message to a nearby law enforcement officer, providing a description of the traveller and their luggage, along with their gate number and flight details. This is known as a "secret tip".

Law enforcement officers require ""probable cause"" to seize money, meaning they must suspect that the money was involved in drug trafficking or money laundering. Certain behaviours may raise suspicion, such as inconsistent statements about the money, having a large amount of cash on a domestic flight, bundling cash with rubber bands, last-minute ticket purchases, or flying to the West Coast.

It is important to note that carrying large amounts of cash is not illegal, and there is no limit to how much cash you can bring on a domestic or international flight. However, for international flights, travellers must declare if they are carrying more than $10,000 using a FinCEN105 form.

If you are travelling with a large amount of cash, it is advisable to fill out the necessary forms and answer any questions from authorities truthfully. While you are not required to disclose the amount of cash you are carrying on a domestic flight, refusing to cooperate with authorities may lead to further suspicion and potential detention.

Cash can be detected in checked-in luggage

Airport scanners can detect cash in checked-in luggage. These scanners can see detailed images of luggage contents, including metallic and non-metallic objects, as well as organic materials. The scanners can calculate the mass and density of the contents, and while they may not always be able to establish what the objects are, they can detect anything that looks different from the norm. Currency, especially when arranged in bundles, will stand out.

The dual-energy X-ray system used in airports has a single X-ray source that emits X-rays, typically ranging from 140 to 160 kilovolt peak (KVP). KVP refers to the penetration level of the X-ray, with higher KVP values indicating greater penetration. In this system, X-rays pass through a detector, a filter, and then another detector. The detector picks up the X-rays, which are then filtered to block out lower-energy X-rays. The remaining high-energy X-rays hit a second detector, and a computer circuit compares the readings of the two detectors to better represent low-energy objects, such as organic materials.

Different materials absorb X-rays at varying levels, and this is reflected in the image on the monitor, allowing the operator to see distinct items inside the bag. Objects are typically coloured based on their energy range, with inorganic and metallic objects coloured differently from organic materials, which are usually shaded orange. While the specific colours may vary depending on the manufacturer, this differentiation helps operators identify suspicious items, including cash.

Additionally, the density and arrangement of cash bundles can make them stand out during scanning. For example, a stack of cash can appear as layers of inorganic and organic material, arousing suspicion and leading to further inspection. It is important to note that while airport scanners can detect cash, the detection itself may not always lead to confiscation or legal repercussions. The detection of cash during luggage scanning is just one factor that may prompt further investigation by authorities.

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