Originally Posted by
Global_Hi_Flyer
I would not be at all surprised if some of the machines were calibrated to detect certain drug signatures.
Originally Posted by
bocastephen
Since there is more than one machine at most checkpoints, it's possible one machine is reserved for 'drug sniffing' - and if so, I hope this found out to be true so the search can be declared illegal and the case(s) thrown out.
Originally Posted by
We Will Never Forget
Not to add to the BS conspiracy theories, but they CAN be.
However, they can only be set for either drugs or explosives. Not both simultaneously.
Originally Posted by
Bart
ETD machines are set to detect explosives. By law.
Originally Posted by
Bart
Yes. My point was that the ETD machines are set by the manufacturer. Its setting is verified every day by an STSO when he/she looks at the screen. If it says anything other than the word "explosives," then the machine cannot be used. This would be documented in a daily maintenance report followed by a trouble ticket to the vendor to reset the machine. I just don't see any checkpoint in the nation "accidentally" using an ETD machine that was not on the correct setting. I don't even see an ETD machine with the improper setting making it to the airport because there's a process similar to a joint inventory where everything is checked out prior to acceptance.
Bart and WWNF are pretty much correct here.
http://www.smithsdetection.com/eng/IONSCAN_400B.php
This is most common ETD machine in use with TSA to my knowledge. It can only be set in one mode. Explosives or naracotics.
In explosives mode it's going to hit on:
RDX, PETN, TNT, Semtex, Tetryl, NG, Nitrates, HMX and others
In narc mode, it'll only hit on:
Cocaine, Heroin, PCP, THC, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy, LSD and others
On top of that, it's going to say Explosives right on the top, and I use this machine 5 days a week for 5 hours and not once has it been in narcotics mode. In fact, this is what it looks like.... if you're able to read what I highlighted....
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3...explosives.png
The only checkpoint they'll be in narc mode in, is a CBP checkpoint, not a TSA checkpoint.