US airport security scanner trial

A promise to transform airport security worldwide has launched trials of a controversial airport scanner in the US.

The scanner known as SmartCheck, takes X-rays of passenger's bodies in the hope of exposing undiscovered security threats.

Sky Harbor International airport in Phoenix is the first to trial the equipment, with trials lasting approximately 90 days. The security scan will only be used as a backup measure during the trials for those passengers that fail standard security checks. Hopes are that passengers will welcome the technology and this period will therefore be extended.

However, the airport scanner has raised concerns regarding how invasive the technology is. A Transport Security Administration(TSA) spokesman has promptly addressed the matter, stating that this was an issue developers of the technology worked hard on to overcome.

The result is an image displayed to one officer observing the scans. An outline of the passenger, picking up any concealed weapons or explosives will be seen, rather than anything inappropriate, which the TSA has examined carefully. Then in an observation room nearby, another security officer will be signalled with a red or green light indicating whether the passenger can continue.

Furthermore images will not be stored, but immediately deleted after screening has taken place.

The cost of the scanner is reported at approximately $100,000, although it is presently on loan from the American Science and Engineering Inc. of Boston who manufactured it.

If the trials are received successful, other major US airports such as in LA and New York are expecting to trial the technology, which could soon mean other airports worldwide may be likely to follow. Heathrow airport has already shown its interest in the technology.


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T. Loaiza Editorial


01/03/2007


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