Scanner Virtually Disrobes Passengers
OSI Systems has an X-ray body scanner, Rapiscan 1000, that uses 3-D imaging to turn numerical information in to a picture of a naked passenger, which could be considered pornographic in nature, on a monitor.
Critics claim that it is a television strip search because wallets, change, C4 explosives, guns, and other items can be depicted clearly.
Security personnel, on the other hand, claim that the device is so accurate that it would make airport screening a breeze, and passengers would be satisfied because the scan takes eight seconds to complete.
The American Civil Liberties Union claims that passengers expect a modicum of privacy even during security screenings, but the group says that evidence of probable cause would signal the need for body scans.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Washington Times Online (05/22/03); Reed, Fred.