Airport Security Swabbing: What Are They Testing For?

Airport security swabbing is a process where TSA officers swab passengers' hands, luggage, and items with a cotton cloth or wet paper to collect residue for testing. This process, known as Explosive Trace Detection (ETD), aims to detect traces of explosives, drugs, or other restricted substances. The swabs are then inserted into a machine, such as an Ion-Mobility Spectrometer (IMS), to determine if further security screening is required. While swabbing is often random, it can also be triggered by factors such as suspicious behavior or setting off a metal detector. The procedure is generally quick and non-invasive, but passengers may be subjected to further questioning and baggage searches if the swab test comes back positive.

Explosives

Airport security swabbing is a common procedure to detect traces of explosive materials on passengers' persons or belongings. The swabbing tests are designed to identify extremely tiny particles or residues of explosives that may be present on an individual's skin, clothing, or items such as bags, laptops, or electronic devices. These tests are an integral part of airport security protocols, aiming to ensure the safety of all passengers and mitigate potential threats.

The swabbing process typically involves a TSA agent taking a sample from a passenger's hands or luggage using a swab. The swab is then analyzed to detect the presence of explosive chemicals, specifically nitrates, glycerin, and nitroglycerin. These compounds are commonly found in explosives and can be used to create various types of bombs. However, it is important to note that these chemicals are also present in some everyday products, leading to false positives during the swab tests.

The presence of substances like glycerin in lotions, makeup, soaps, and hand creams can trigger a positive result, causing inconvenience to travellers. Medications, such as nitroglycerine pills for heart conditions, can also lead to false positives. Additionally, individuals who regularly come into contact with firearms, ammunition, or explosives may have their skin and belongings contaminated, resulting in positive swab test results even when they are not carrying any explosive materials at the airport.

It is important to emphasize that the swab tests are not conclusive and often produce false positives. If a positive result occurs, security agents will conduct further testing and may perform a pat-down, thoroughly inspect baggage, or ask additional questions to clarify the situation. While swabbing for explosives may cause delays and inconvenience, it is an essential security measure to ensure the safety of air travel.

In summary, airport security swabbing for explosives is a critical procedure to identify potential threats and protect passengers. While it may lead to false positives, the presence of explosive residue is a serious matter, and security personnel are trained to handle such situations effectively, ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Drugs

While airport security swabbing is primarily for explosive residue, some airports do use swab tests to check for drugs. Canadian airports, for example, have machines that can detect traces of hard drugs. However, swabbing for drugs at the terminal entrance is not practical, and it is usually the border/customs agents who check for the importation of illegal substances.

At most airports, it is more common for sniffer dogs to be used to detect drugs. These dogs are trained to smell for a host of items, including explosives, live animals, animal manure, organic matter, ivory, currency, blood, and electronic contraband, in addition to drugs.

Full-body scanners are another method used to detect threatening items and contraband, such as weapons, explosives, and drugs, under multiple layers of clothing. The most common type of full-body scanner is the millimeter-wave scanner, which uses electromagnetic waves to detect a wide range of items, including knives, guns, plastic explosives, and drugs strapped to travelers' bodies.

While airport security swabbing is not typically used for drug detection, it is important to be aware of the methods that may be employed by authorities to ensure a smooth travel experience.

Residue from firearms

Airport security swabbing is primarily used to detect explosive material residue on passengers' hands and luggage. This measure was implemented following the 9/11 hijackings to enhance security and protect a large population from potential terrorist attacks. While the procedure may be inconvenient for travellers, it is considered minimally invasive and crucial for maintaining safety in aviation, which is a common target for attacks.

The swabs are analysed for chemicals such as nitroglycerin, nitrates, glycerin, and other substances that could indicate the presence of explosives. This process is known as Explosives Trace Detection (ETD) and is performed using machines like the Ion-Mobility Spectrometer (IMS). It is important to note that the swabs are not testing passengers' DNA, viruses, illnesses, or narcotics.

Although the primary focus of airport security swabbing is to detect explosive residue, there have been discussions about its potential to detect other types of residues, including firearms discharge residue. While there is limited public information specifically about detecting firearms discharge residue through swabbing, it is known that security protocols are constantly evolving to address various security concerns.

The presence of firearms discharge residue (FDR) on a person's hands or belongings could indicate recent contact with a firearm, which may be relevant in an airport security context. FDR is composed of various particles, including primers, gunpowder, and metals, which can be analysed to determine if a firearm has been discharged. While it is not commonly discussed in the context of airport security swabbing, it is a possibility that security protocols may include this as a target residue to enhance their capabilities in ensuring the safety of passengers and staff.

In summary, while the primary focus of airport security swabbing is to detect explosive residue, there is a possibility that it could also detect residues from firearms. The detection of firearms discharge residue may be an additional layer of security that is not widely publicised to maintain the integrity of security protocols. The primary goal of these measures is to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved in the aviation industry, and the procedures are constantly evolving to address emerging threats and challenges.

Metal

Airport security swabbing is primarily used to detect explosive residue, specifically particles of two sets of compounds: nitrates and glycerin, which can be used to make many types of bombs. While the swab tests are highly sensitive, nitrates and glycerin are also found in some harmless everyday products, which can lead to false positives. For example, glycerine-based hand creams can trigger a positive result, and offshore sailors often handle emergency flares, which can cause them to test positive.

In addition to explosive residue, airport security swabbing can also detect narcotics or residue from firearms usage, such as shooting or handling ammunition. However, it is important to note that the swab tests are not designed to test for viruses, illnesses, or DNA.

Although the primary purpose of swabbing is to detect explosive residue, it can also be used as an additional consequence of triggering a metal detector. Metal detectors at airports use an alternating magnetic field to check for certain types and quantities of metal. If a passenger sets off the metal detector, security personnel may decide to conduct a swab test to further investigate the potential security risk. This additional swabbing can help determine if the metal detected was related to explosive compounds or components.

While privacy advocates have expressed concerns about the potential discriminatory use of airport security checks, the swabbing procedure itself is minimally invasive and has been deemed constitutionally valid by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union. The balance between protecting a large population from terrorism and preserving individual privacy rights remains a delicate issue in airport security measures.

False positives

Airport security swabbing is a safety measure to ensure that the air environment is safe. The swabbing is conducted to test for traces of explosives, explosive residue, or other chemicals that might be used as explosives. While the swab tests are random, they may also be triggered by certain factors, such as suspicious behaviour or setting off a metal detector.

• Common Household Items: Everyday items such as hand soap, lotions, cosmetics, or medications may contain chemicals like glycerin or nitrates, which are also used in explosives. These harmless products can leave traces on your skin or belongings, triggering a positive test result.
• Occupations and Hobbies: Certain professions and hobbies may increase the likelihood of a positive test result. Hunters, firefighters, police officers, and military personnel regularly interact with accelerants and munitions, which can cause them to test positive despite having no malicious intent.
• Metal Objects: Airports use metal detectors as part of their security measures. Certain items, such as shoes with metal plates or nails in the heel, can trigger the metal detector, leading to further security checks, including swabbing.
• Random Checks: Airport security personnel may also conduct random swab tests to meet their quota of checks or to ensure the proper functioning of their equipment. This can result in false positives, especially if the swabbing is truly random and not based on any specific criteria.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain chemicals in your environment can lead to false positives. For example, if you have recently been around explosives or firework displays, traces of explosive compounds may remain on your person or belongings.
• Previous Positive Tests: If you have previously tested positive for explosive residue, you may be flagged for additional screening, including swab tests, during future travels. This could lead to a pattern of false positives.

It is important to remember that a false positive during airport security swabbing does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing on your part. The TSA and other security agencies are aware of the potential for false positives and will conduct further investigations to ensure your innocence.

Frequently asked questions