Full Body Scan Image for Airport Screening

Written by: Jason C. Chavis • Edited by: Michele McDonough
Updated Mar 13, 2010 • Related Guides: DNA

Invented in the 1990s, full body scan image airport screening became a preferred way to provide security measures around the world following the events of 9/11 and other terrorist acts. The technology is met with much criticism, however, since it essentially produces a nude image of passengers.

Millimeter Wave Scanning

click to enlarge

One of the most prominent forms of full body scan image airport screening is the millimeter wave scanner. Using extremely high radio frequencies known as a millimeter wave transmitted from rotating two antennas around a passenger's body, a three-dimensional image is created and displayed on a monitor. Organic material such as clothing becomes translucent, allowing security personnel to analyze a subject's body for potential threats. Presently limited to airport screening around the world, the millimeter waves could also be used to scan areas as large as 164 feet (50 m) according to Farran Technologies.

Above right: Millimeter Wave Scan. (Supplied by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Public Domain; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Mmw_large.jpg)

Backscatter X-ray

click to enlarge

Backscatter X-ray machines are another form of full body scan image airport screening used by security personnel in transportation industries around the world. The imaging technology uses traditional X-ray radiation to essentially see a subject's body through clothing and other material. X-rays are projected onto a subject, the radiation is reflected back from the target and constructed into an image that appears on a screen for security analysis. The benefit of backscatter X-rays over the millimeter wave scanning method is the fact that a full 360-degree platform is not necessary. Subjects can be scanned on one side and then turned to get scanned again on another side.

Like millimeter wave technology, the backscatter X-ray scans can be utilized to observe larger areas. Since the technology does not only work on carbon-based materials, containers and other large objects can also be scanned for security.

Above left: Backscatter X-ray image of woman. (Supplied by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Public Domain; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Backscatter_x-ray_image_woman.jpg)

Privacy Concerns About Full Body Scans

The main source of push-back against installing and using full body scan image airport screening is the fact that the technology essentially produces a naked image of the subject. This means that screeners have access to nude profiles of people as well as possible confidential medical information. For example, a screener will see if a person uses a colostomy bag.

To address these concerns, the Transportation Security Administration takes a number of provisions regarding its overall policy about the scans. First, the person being scanned is only viewed by a screener located in another location, rather than near the subject. This allows a certain level of anonymity for people. Second, the image is in no way stored in the system. Additionally, the private areas of individuals are blurred using a distortion features available on both systems.

Health Effects of Scanning

Millimeter wave scanning uses terahertz photons to create its images. These do not have enough energy to adversely affect human molecules or atoms. However, the Center for Nonlinear Studies at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico has shown that these photons can cause detrimental damage to the double helix of DNA. Essentially, too much exposure to these waves could break apart the two strands that compose the DNA, halting gene expression and replication.

However, the radiation level of backscatter X-ray machines is much less dangerous than the millimeter wave scanners. A standard scan bombards the body with between 0.005 and 0.000 millirems of radiation. Humans need approximately 25 millirems of dosage in a single year to suffer adverse effects.

Airport Screening Flaws

Full body scan image airport screening has a number of flaws in the overall system of security. Since certain private areas are distorted, it is possible for subjects to hide weapons or explosives in these areas. The technology is also incapable of scanning the interior of a person's body. This means that nefarious individuals could utilize body cavities to hide contraband or dangerous items. Also, certain terrorist groups have stated that they will simply place explosives within a person's body, such as female breast implants, undetectable by either millimeter wave scanning or backscatter X-ray.

Another major problem with the technology is that it makes indecent images of children. Concerns in both the United States and the United Kingdom regarding laws of photographing naked children will have to be addressed in the court of law.

Either way, many transportation facilities around the world have begun installing full body scan image airport screening as one of the many processes to avoid terrorist and other illegal activity.

Resources

"Two Types of Scanners and How They Work" Jaunted: http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/5/163631/3181/travel/Full-Body+Scanners+101:+The+Two+Types+and+How+They+Work

"Q&A: Controversial Full Body Scanning" CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/12/30/airline.terror.scanners/index.html

Jeff Mar 14, 2011 5:58 PM

Re: Scaremongering? Propaganda?

@Gary: I too went through 9/11, although rather than be in a hotel in Chicago, I was at the WTC that morning and got out. And... I'm opposed to the body scanners.

If our wives and our children have to be seen naked and groped in order for us to feel "safe," then the terrorists have won, because we've given up our dignity.

"REMEMBER 9/11/01. I will not forget...ever."

Me neither... that's why I oppose the body scanners.

calli maran Dec 16, 2010 8:59 PM

constitutional rights

in my opinion these airport screenings are against the 4th amendment that says the right to privacy and against unreasonalbe search and seizure and half the people who are getting scaned are not suspicous of anything they should only be scaned it they are suspicious of something like if they have a record or anything that may look suspicious but the airport security does not follow that they have screened 12 year old girls and infants i may be 13 but i know my rights

Barb Larson Nov 24, 2010 10:09 PM

airport scanning

Im with Gary! Taking steps to reduce terrorism does just that....reduce the incidence! Nothing is ever 100%....however passivity breeds recidivism!

I will never forget.....ever!
Barb

usstenmo Nov 24, 2010 5:05 PM

Reply to micsan07

You make a lot of good points, however, just because you can do something, does not make it right. If America ignores the Constitution in the name of protecting its citizens, will we still be free? I would rather die from a terrorist attack, than become a slave to fear. And yes, I am a veteran.

usstenmo Nov 24, 2010 4:58 PM

Can you gaurentee it is 100% safe?

For someone who does not travel often it may be harmless, however, will frequant fliers develope strange new diseases ten years from now? Everyone thaught asbestos and lead were perfectly safe. Will it prevent terrorism? The definition of a criminal says they will find a way to circumvent the law. What do sucessful security programs use. Maybe we should ask the nation which has the most experience in this arena.

Aztek Nov 21, 2010 11:40 PM

Learn Your History

Full Body Image Scanning would never have saved us from the events of 9/11. Nor would taking your shoes off in airports. The hijackers carried completely legal items onto the planes and found a loophole in the security on the plane. No amount of checks for legal items will prevent this from happening again.

Gary Nov 21, 2010 11:32 PM

Scaremongering? Propaganda?

I flew on 9/10/01 and was stuck in a hotel in Chicago for 5 days...watched in horror while 3 commercial jets were purposely crashed killing thousands.

Your comment on propaganda is obnoxious and insensitive to those of us that DO NOT want to see something like this happen, again.,

I'll go through the security screening machines and have my junk viewed by anyone having the time to look if it keeps me and other Americans safe.

REMEMBER 9/11/01. I will not forget...ever.

Kam May 20, 2010 2:52 PM

Just Wrong

Listen, I think screening at airports are annoying, but worth it. I wont disagree with that. But these machines don't do anything for security! They just make the general public mad and feel not in control! If terrorists wanted to do something to a plane again they will. I believe these check points just help catch for the silly stupid stuff and the emotional-behavorial activities. You know for the ones that seem real nervous or "look" out of place... Last month I came back from Vegas, and my wife took a wine bottle opener from the hotel (the nice swirly-pointed kind). I didnt even know it was in our carry on bag! But it went through the scanners and no one even questioned it! So my point is these scanners just give the scannies woodies and allow them to snap cell pics of hot chicks, or men i suppose too. So it blurs out the private areas, but what if the person isnt standing it the right point of view? or my children.. their parts going to be covered correctly? And expose them to unnecessary radiation? I TOTALLY am against these things.. Haha imagine the money someone could get for when a celebrity going throw one of these machines! Its stupid, and the validation for why its stupid is, terrorists have started to put things inside bodies now.. They are one step ahead right now. We need to stop thinking so close minded! Here is an idea.... create a speak to polygraph machine that u ask flyers 1-3 simple questions after the metal detector... simple questions like where u going, why are you going, who are you seeing, when are you returning, why arent u returning (one ways)... let these machine detect nervousiness in peoples responses and that might even catch, criminals too. That was a very quick thought, but again these xray machines are stupid and dont do anything but cause cancer and anger to the general public and additional violate peoples privacy rights! Thanks -Kam

micsan07 Apr 19, 2010 6:48 PM

Security or Sensitivity?

OK, I won't blast anyone here, but this equipment is much more than "scaremongering". Being on the other side of security equipment at an airport, I've seen first hand what people try to get through an airport and onto a plane. Guns galore, knives too many to count, and the weirdest stuff to ever enter a building! The way I see it, if we have people on this earth that we KNOW for a fact want to harm us through our aviation system, why are we so worried that someone will see our body shadow? Believe me, the people screening you are NOT interested in what you look like on a monitor, they are looking for stuff that'll bring a plane down!

Isn't it more important to know that because EVERYONE goes through this screening that your plane will land safely on the ground instead of turning into another 9-11?

I'm all for ANY kind of equipment that will ensure 9-11 doesn't occur again and think that if you're too sensitive to want someone to see an outline of your body, take another form of transportation!

Retired, but still passionate about our nation's security against terrorism!
My Name: Michelle

jim Mar 22, 2010 4:46 PM

Just More Scaremongering

Thanks for putting this page up I have found it very useful. I think this whole process is just more scaremongering to make use feel like there's going to be more false flag terror attacks. If you've got time watch these videos and you can see the propaganda that's involved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdwaBiFPGZ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLOEV2s4L1M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYAHgDgp76k&feature=related