Originally Posted by RadioGirl

It depends on what you mean by "generated". The reflection of MMW energy from a body is measured by the scanner to produce a set of data within the computer corresponding to the outlines and details of the body. In the US system, this data is then presented graphically on a monitor as a detailed image of the body in question and viewed by a screener. It is possible (and it seems to be implemented in the AMS system) for software to analyse this data, determine that there is an anomaly in, for example, the left front chest, and then generate a cartoon image with a bright spot on the (generic) left front chest. The actual nude picture would never need to be graphically rendered and would never be viewed by a human being.

As I mentioned, I base this on the following: (a) the cartoon image is clearly visible at the back of the scanner itself, (b) a security person is viewing that image and waves the passenger on or asks them to take something out of their left shirt pocket, and (c) no one in the vicinity of the WBI seemed to have radio contact to someone at a remote viewing location.

My colleague actually stopped and looked at the cartoon image that he had generated.

Agree that clearing such findings is still a big issue; I forgot to include that in my analysis above. FWIW, after I cleared security, I sat facing the checkpoint about 20 feet away and didn't see any confrontations in the perhaps 50 people who came through the WBI while I was there. But agree that it's a small sample.