APH Community > Airport body scanners… can I refuse, will I appear naked and other questions answered
Anyone flying from major UK airports in 2015 could be asked to undertake a full body scan. Being selected can be a daunting experience, so here’s all the information you need to make sure you’re fully aware of what the machine does and what your rights are.
Here’s all the information you need when making your way through security…
Airport body scanners… your at-a-glance guide
What technology does the body scanner use?
All scanning systems must use millimetre wave imaging technology to flag objects that could be concealed under clothing.
Are they safe to use?
Yes, according to Government research. Tests have concluded that the scanner is less invasive than a mobile phone or than being in the sun. It is also certified as safe for pregnant women, children and those with medical implants such as pacemakers.
Will everyone have to go inside one?
No. Passengers will go through the usual metal detector gates, but some will be picked out at random to be tested in the scanner. The exact reasons why someone gets chosen are kept secret for security reasons, but selection cannot be based on criteria such as disability, sex, gender reassignment, age, race, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and sexual orientation.
What happens when I am scanned?
You will be asked to stand in the machine and assume a particular position if chosen. There might also be a request to rotate to a second position. The scan will take just a few minutes.
Will I be naked in the image?
No, not in any image that’ll be seen by a human. The scanner uses an Automatic Threat Recognition and Detection functionality to digitally look for possible threats. If any are detected, the scanner will display them on a ‘gingerbread man’ image for the human operator to review. He will then decide if a physical search is needed.
Show me what the operator will see?
Okay. If the scan is clear the operator will only see the first screen, if areas of threat are detected, the second screen will be displayed with the mannequin outline – not your actual image.
Images Credit
Are the original images stored?
The image is analysed from within the computer and will never be seen, transmitted, saved or printed.
Are children exempt from the scanner?
No. Children might also be asked to go through the body scanner.
Can I refuse to be scanned?
The Government’s Code of Conduct covering body scanners states: ‘An individual may opt out of being scanned. In this instance, the individual must either be screened by an alternative method which includes at least an enhanced hand search in private or that individual must not be permitted to enter the security restricted area, or, if applicable, he or she must be removed from it. An enhanced hand search in private must take place in a private room or an area away from the main search comb. This may involve the loosening or removal of clothing.
Where can I read the full Code of Conduct covering body scanners
How about you click right here
FAQs
The scanners use "backscatter" or "millimeter wave" radiation to see through your clothes. A TSA agent in another room will see an image of your body that could include a revealing look at your entire body, including breasts, genitals, buttocks, and external medical devices.
What sets off the body scanner at the airport? ›
* The scanners detect metal , so any metal objects like belt buckles , jewelry , or even certain types of undergarments with metal accents could trigger an alarm . If you 're wearing a belt , it 's always best to remove it before going through security .
Can an airport body scanner see a tampon? ›
An inserted tampon would be too transparent to a body scanner. It's also to do with their construction. They're just compressed micro-fine cotton fibres - with microscopic air pockets.
Why does TSA always pats me down? ›
As one of many security measures, pat-down procedures are used to determine if prohibited items or other threats to transportation security are concealed on the person. Learn about what to expect if you receive pat-down screening.
What shows up orange on TSA scanner? ›
By comparing the two detectors' outputs, the machine can construct an image showing not just the position of objects, but also roughly what they're made of and their density. Organic materials like paper, food and explosives are orange, while blue or green are used for metals and glass.
Do airport body scanners pick up drugs? ›
Technically, airport security scanners do not detect drugs but they can provide visual clues of drugs hidden under the clothes and in baggage. Even if the scanners cannot determine the exact composition, they can tell if an object is organic or metallic or how low or high density an object have.
Why did TSA pat-down my groin? ›
Pat-down procedures are used to determine whether prohibited items or other threats to transportation security are concealed on the person.
Does aluminum foil block airport scanners? ›
A standard X-ray machine sees through clothes and skin, but not metal. As a result, airport scanners cannot see through gold, platinum, tungsten, and other metals. Scanners also cannot see objects in body cavities or ones wrapped in aluminum foil. Other items that evade detection by scanners include lead and crystals.
Do condoms show up on airport xray? ›
The package is really not foil, but might or might not show an outline on xray, a magnetometer will not react to it. Relax and travel with them, your parents will not catch you.
Can the airport scanner see pills? ›
What Airport Scanners Detect. Airport scanners are an essential part of modern airport security. They can detect a wide range of items, including weapons, explosives, liquids, sharp objects, pills, as well as any other objects that may be hidden on a person's body.
Here are 14 different things you might be doing that are guaranteed to irritate a TSA agent.
- Not having your ID and boarding pass out. ...
- Trying to sneak through the PreCheck line. ...
- Not taking off your shoes. ...
- Forgetting to empty your pockets. ...
- Abandoning your bags on the belt. ...
- Attempting to sneak in liquids over the size limit.
For example, trying to go back through the metal detector after setting off an alarm or yelling at an officer might be considered interfering with a TSA official. The TSA can impose civil penalties (fines) for interference; and interference is also a federal crime.
What is the yellow square on the airport body scanner? ›
The scanner software recognizes metallic and non-metallic items hiding under clothing. The machine then processes an image using yellow boxes to point out any areas that may need additional screening.
What do TSA agents see when they scan your ID? ›
At these hubs, the TSA has installed Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), a system linked electronically to the flight database, allowing TSA officers to confirm travelers' flight details as well as whether they are enrolled in a trusted traveler program, such as TSA PreCheck, simply by scanning their ID.
What can airport scanners not see through? ›
Any kind of material can be x-ray opaque, provided it's thick enough or there are multiple layers of it. Also, some materials such as lead and crystals are able to block x-rays.
Can airport body scanners see tumors? ›
Therefore just as metal reflects more energy than the body — cancerous tumors reflect more calibrated energy than healthy skin — making it possible to identify diseased tissue by looking for “reflective hotspots.”
What does a full body scan show? ›
By capturing images from multiple angles, the scanner produces comprehensive cross-sectional views of the body, depicting tissue density on a scale known as the Hounsfield scale. Organs exhibit various densities; for example, a bone has a denser structure than soft tissue due to its higher calcium content.
