Body Scanners: Revealing Airport Security's Secrets

Airport body scanners are designed to detect metallic and non-metallic items on people's bodies that metal detectors may miss. They use a technology called Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) for full-body scans at airport checkpoints. The scanners use waves to create an image of the body, which shows objects hidden under clothes. There are two types of body scanners: the millimeter-wave scanner and the backscatter X-ray scanner. The former uses high-frequency radio waves to create an image of the body, while the latter detects the radiation reflected from the human body.

Body scanners can detect non-metallic objects

There are two main types of body scanners: millimeter wave scanners and backscatter X-ray scanners. Millimeter wave scanners use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation to detect a wide range of metallic and non-metallic threats. They send millimeter waves toward a passenger's insides, which then reflect off the skin and bounce back an image, which is interpreted by the machine. Millimeter wave scanners do not generate ionizing radiation, and the health risks they pose are still being studied.

Backscatter X-ray scanners use low-dose radiation to detect suspicious metallic and non-metallic objects hidden under clothing, in shoes, and in body cavities. The dosage of radiation received is usually between 0.05 and 0.1 μSv. Due to safety concerns, several countries have banned the usage of these scanners.

Body scanners are more reliable than metal detectors in recognizing threats involving explosives and contraband items hidden anywhere on the body. They are also effective at screening for security threats concealed inside turbans, hijabs, burqas, and prosthetics. However, they may not be able to adequately screen individuals with thick hair or braids, hair clips, body piercings, wire-supported undergarments, or external tumors.

To protect the privacy of those being scanned, newer body scanners do not show the operator any body images of the screened person. Instead, they highlight suspicious body areas on a generic body image, and the security staff can then check these areas through other methods, such as a pat-down search.

They can't see inside the body

While airport body scanners can detect metallic and non-metallic items on a person's body, they cannot see inside the body. This means that items inside body cavities, such as drugs or hazardous liquids, will not be detected.

Body scanners use Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) to produce a full-body scan. This technology is a form of millimeter wave imaging, which is a special type of microwave. It is not an X-ray and does not penetrate the skin. Instead, the electromagnetic waves are reflected off the skin and whatever else is on the body, creating an image that is interpreted by the machine.

The image produced by the body scanner is a generic human avatar, which looks like a gingerbread man or paper doll. This is to ensure passenger privacy. The avatar is accompanied by a green "clear" or red "stop and check" signal. If there is no alarm, officers do not see anything at all—simply a screen reading "OK".

The body scanners are looking for items that could pose a security threat, such as weapons or explosives. They are not looking at your physical body.

They use electromagnetic waves

Airport body scanners use electromagnetic waves to detect a wide range of metallic and non-metallic items that may be security threats. The waves are sent towards a passenger's body, pass through clothing, reflect off the skin and bounce back to create an image for a TSA agent to interpret.

Millimetre wave scanners use non-ionising electromagnetic radiation, similar to that used by wireless data transmitters. This is a lower frequency than visible light and is considered to be safer than ionising radiation, which can knock electrons out of atoms. The health risks posed by millimetre wave scanners are still being studied, but they do not generate ionising radiation.

Millimetre wave scanners are used to detect objects that metal detectors may miss, such as non-metallic items, drugs, and weapons made from materials like ceramics. They can also detect items inside body cavities, such as swallowed items.

The scanners create a generic, nondescript avatar image of the human anatomy, which looks like a gingerbread man or paper doll. This is to ensure passenger privacy, and the image does not show nipples, genitalia, size, weight, or height. The avatar is used to indicate where a potential threat item may be located on the body, and the TSA agent will then investigate further.

The use of electromagnetic waves in airport body scanners allows for the detection of a wide range of potential threat items without physical contact or the removal of clothing.

They can detect swallowed items

Airport body scanners are designed to detect objects on or inside a person's body, without physically removing clothes or making physical contact. They use advanced imaging technology to produce a generic outline of a person, highlighting any concealed items. While they can detect items underneath clothing, they do not provide detailed imagery of internal organs or structures.

Some scanners can detect swallowed items or items hidden in body cavities. For example, if a person is suspected of swallowing drugs, they may be scanned with a full-body X-ray machine that can detect packages in the stomach. Similarly, airport scanners can detect drugs hidden in body cavities. However, this detection is not inherent to their design, and additional screening methods or equipment, such as sniffer dogs or chemical swabs, may be required for specific identification.

The effectiveness of airport body scanners in detecting swallowed items depends on the technology employed. Millimeter wave scanners, for instance, use electromagnetic waves that bounce off the body and any concealed objects. In contrast, backscatter X-ray scanners emit low-level X-rays that reflect off objects and back to the machine. These different technologies result in variations in the scanners' ability to detect and identify swallowed items.

It is important to note that while airport body scanners can detect some swallowed items, they are not medical imaging devices and do not provide detailed imagery of internal organs or structures. Their primary purpose is security, and as such, they are designed to identify potential threats or prohibited items rather than specific objects like drugs.

They can detect items in body cavities

Airport body scanners are designed to detect threats to aviation security, including weapons and explosives. They use advanced imaging technology (AIT) to scan for metallic and non-metallic items that may be concealed on a person's body or in their clothing. The technology has improved over the years, addressing privacy and health concerns.

Airport body scanners cannot see inside a person's body. They are designed to detect items on the body or hidden inside clothing, but they do not have the capability to penetrate the body and view items within body cavities.

The scanners use either backscatter or millimeter-wave technology. Backscatter X-ray scanners use low-dose ionizing radiation to detect metallic and non-metallic objects, while millimeter-wave scanners use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation to detect items by bouncing waves off the passenger's skin and interpreting the reflected image. Neither of these technologies can see inside the body.

While airport body scanners cannot detect items within body cavities, they can detect some medical problems, such as tumors or cysts, as these scanners use radiofrequency waves to scan for abnormalities or bulges on passengers. However, they cannot detect cancer or inflammation.

It is important to note that while airport body scanners cannot see inside the body, they can detect drugs if they are on the person, such as inside a pocket, and TSA agents are required to report any drugs found.

Frequently asked questions