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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 11641
[Technical]
Date Posted:
11/29/2004
10:15:42 am EST
Wvox Stats
Views: 14,258
RSS: 3,373
Comments: 8
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Covert X-Rays Tested As Security Tool
Author: Ross Kerber Source: Boston Globe
Title: COVERT X-RAYS TESTED AS SECURITY TOOL
  Airport X-rays aren't just for baggage anymore.
Radiation-emitting devices now are screening people and vehicles at terminals, border crossings, and other checkpoints where security officials want to look for weapons or contraband. More such use is likely after officials from the Food and Drug Administration and other agencies described how lower-level radiation machines could be used without special precautions.
The FDA is planning discussions with Homeland Security officials about covert X-ray screening of people as well. But already some passengers at US and foreign airports are knowingly being X-rayed, part of a broader effort to step up transportation security in the wake of terrorist attacks.
Several years ago, US Customs and Border Protection officials began X-raying some passengers arriving on foreign flights. Then last month scanning was begun of some passengers departing from London's Heathrow Airport by a low-powered X-ray system. Also in October, officials started scanning vehicles driven onto a ferry between New Jersey and Delaware.
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Community Thoughts: There are 8 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Yeah, Right. | Nov 30th. at 11:24:17 am EST |
by Susan (Northern Arizona) - wc_xemail
I've been groped by a security flunkie at the airport, I know from personal experience what perverts they can be. Now they're going to take an xray of me that shows me naked??? Nice. Let's REALLY give them something to fantasize about later.
Not that I think I'm all that or anything, I just am offended by all of this. I think it's ridiculous.
I also agree that if the government is gettin 23 million dollars worth of these, how many places are they going to be? And how long will it be before the price comes down enough that private entities are also getting them? Or local governments or schools/colleges? 2500 times of being hit with low level radiation could conceivably happen very quickly in those terms.
How long before we get the closed circuit monitoring system installed in every room of our houses like in 1984? It certainly seems as though that is closer to the realm of the possible now.
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| Voice Stress Analysis Is | Nov 29th. at 11:16:36 pm EST |
by Reverie (California) - wc_xemail
a proven technique often used as a resource is law enforcement. A few years ago it was inadmissable as evidence in the court room - but it provided invaluable information during investigations.
Security would ask a standard list of questions to begin with such as:
what is your name, address, etc., all items verified by identification. This establishes the persons basic voice pattern. Then a series of questions are asked such as:
do you plan to hijack your flight? What color are the walls of this room? Do you agree with any terrorist groups? Where are you going? Are you traveling on business or for pleasure?
Some questions are direct and others have easily verified answers. Stress patterns are analyzed by a machine that prints a read-out that looks like a siezemograph or ekg print-out. It is easy to tell when someone is lying.
This test could be administered as quickly as a full body pat-down and more quickly that having the passenger disrobe prior to the search.
Obviously those measures would then be reserved for people who present a real threat as identified by this simple test - it is easier and quicker than a polygraph and has a higher accuracy level. All with less loss of personal rights and a major decrease in embarassment for some passengers.
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| There Is Something Much Worse... | Nov 29th. at 9:43:01 pm EST |
by Alpha Kilo (Clearwater, FL) - wc_xemail
called backscatter technology. It is a sort of x-ray machine, and has been tested at Orlando International. The device kind of makes the clothing disappear, and you are kind of naked to the world. London Heathrow airport has started using it. Supposedly, it is to find plastic explosives on a person, that would not be picked up by a conventional metal detector. For those that don't mind showing their jewels to a stranger. I guess it's ok, but I'm sure a lot of people would be objectionable to someone peering through their clothing.
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| Lesser Of Two Evils? | Nov 29th. at 2:36:53 pm EST |
by Owlglass (Albuquerque, NM) - wc_xemail
I'd rather be x-rayed than forced to take off my blouse and submit to being felt up in public, as I've been reading is happening to women at airports now. But all that radiation - even low-level - is cumulative. I don't fly that often, but if I did I'd be worried.
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| Gimme A Break | Nov 29th. at 2:34:24 pm EST |
by Jennifer Foster (Manilla, IA) - wc_xemail
What is next is on the government's agenda? X-raying everyone in sight??
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| Best Of Bad Choices? | Nov 29th. at 12:46:05 pm EST |
by Labrys (Wash. state) - wc_xemail - Web
While the x-ray machine might be better than extended grope sessions carried out by uniformed folks who are more likely equally embarrassed, one wonders about the constant barrage of radiation.
Sure, for the once or twice a year flyer, its not a big deal (well, beyond all the privacy issues, but don't get me started on THAT) ; but for the business folks who fly possibly several times a month, this could get physically hazardous.
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| Great Technical Advances | Nov 29th. at 11:02:08 am EST |
by Ahr-Ohn (Bridgeport, Conn) - wc_xemail
I'm sure this'll be followed by lie detectors to pick up those sensitive to Privacy Issues.
Aaron
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