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Backscatter X-Ray Machines Easily Fooled

Posted by Soulskill on from the my-pants-pockets-are-not-bombs-stop-grabbing-my-@&# dept.

Pinckney writes "A paper by Leon Kaufman and Joseph W. Carlson in the Journal of Transportation Security asserts that x-ray backscatter machines are not very effective (PDF) even in their intended role. While carelessly placed contraband will be detected, the machines have glaring blind-spots and have difficulty distinguishing explosives from human tissue. As they write, 'It is very likely that a large (15–20 cm in diameter), irregularly-shaped, cm-thick pancake [of PETN explosive] with beveled edges, taped to the abdomen, would be invisible to this technology. ... It is also easy to see that an object such as a wire or a boxcutter blade, taped to the side of the body, or even a small gun in the same location, will be invisible.'"

13 of 342 comments (clear)

  1. Better technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    This obviously means that we are going to need better technology. We'll need technology that will be able to give us a full color representation of your completely nude body, but only if you're a hot chick. - Your Friendly local TSA Agent

    1. Re:Better technology by Lunoria · · Score: 5, Funny

      This obviously means that we are going to need better technology. We'll need technology that will be able to give us a full color representation of your completely nude body, but only if you're a hot chick. - Your Friendly local TSA Agent

      Bah, There's nothing for the female TSA Agents. I suggest only hot guys get scanned. I don't think slashdotters need apply.

    2. Re:Better technology by Jstlook · · Score: 5, Funny

      This obviously means that we are going to need better technology. We'll need technology that will be able to give us a full color representation of your completely nude body, but only if you're a hot chick.

      "Attention passengers, please form 3 lines.

      All hot chicks, please line up to your far left, at ramp #1 to scanner, for full color internet/youtube-connected body scanner followed by enhanced patdown.

      All normal chicks, please line up at ramp #2 for enhanced pat down and quick scan

      All men, please line up at ramp #3, for metal detector.

      All felons and terrorists, please move along.
      All children, remember that this is the way society has always operated, and is considered normal. No, really -- our Constitution approves of it. Please follow Officer McCarthy for a "special" pat-down.

      My apologies for what's likely flamebait. If you're going to paint idealized forms of what this will end up being, at least follow through. Seriously, when I read the first two, I'm all for it. I read the third line, and I wouldn't really mind because I've dealt with metal detectors for years. Add on the next line, and I start to feel a bit uncomfortable, because suddenly I have to wonder how different from reality this really is. The last line makes me wonder what legacy we will leave our future.

      --
      ---jstlook ---For that is the way of Elves, for they say both yes AND no, and mean every word of it. --- J.R.R.T.
  2. Solution by Arancaytar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Passengers and cargo are a security risk. Prohibit them from boarding planes, and everyone will be safe.

    (Pilots are also a security risk. In the future all planes will fly autonomously, controlled by AIs.)

    (Programmers writing the AIs are also a security risk. You know what? Scrap those planes, they're not carrying anything anyway.)

  3. Solution: Eye bleach. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Considering how a lot of you look naked, that would be enough to force anyone to give up terrorism.

    1. Re:Solution: Eye bleach. by Haedrian · · Score: 2, Funny

      Must work with the TSA...

  4. Re:It's theater... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Not to sound like a broken record (does that phase mean anything to people or did I just show my age),

    "You sound like a broken MP3!" -- Professor Farnsworth.

  5. Re:It's theater... by Scarletdown · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not to sound like a broken record (does that phase mean anything to people or did I just show my age)...

    That is right along the lines of "Don't touch that dial."

    And personally, I have started using "Not to sound like a scratched record" instead of "Not to sound like a broken record."

    If you think about it, a broken record would sound li...

    Whereas a scratched record would sound like...record would sound like...record would sound like...

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    This space unintentionally left blank.
  6. Re:It's theater... by beakerMeep · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not to sound like a [ Buffering.... ]

    --
    meep
  7. It Comes to This by NicknamesAreStupid · · Score: 4, Funny

    As I have said, the only way to be absolutely sure is to perform a premortem autopsy on every passenger. The downside is that somewhere along the way, it becomes a postmortem autopsy. The good news is that airlines could then stack passengers into cargo planes at twenty time the density as current passenger planes. The bad news, no more round trip tickets.

  8. Re:How about the opposite? by Scarletdown · · Score: 4, Funny

    That depends on if the passenger had Taco Hell the previous night.

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    This space unintentionally left blank.
  9. Re:"You won't be detecting that"?! by MaskedSlacker · · Score: 4, Funny

    NOW you're thinking like a TSA administrator!

  10. MOD PARENT UP!!! by TrisexualPuppy · · Score: 3, Funny

    At the risk of my own karma, I do declare, "MOD PARENT UP!!!"

    The TrisexualPuppy