Originally Posted by Bart
In all honesty; there is absolutely nothing to prevent an overzealous screener from doing this other than the follow-up interview. The LEO and supervisor will obtain a sworn statement from the screener who initiated the search, and that screener will have to explain why he/she requested the bag check. Here's where things get dicey because, according to correct procedure, the x-ray operator should have shown the x-ray image to the physical search screener and pointed out the prohibited item on the screen so the physical search screener knows what to look for and approximately where to find it. THAT screener ALSO has to submit a sworn statement. Unless there's a conspiracy between the two, this is where the hole in the "I thought I saw it" story may be revealed. It also may not.
How much of a reward bounty are screeners paid for finding dope? And is that bounty paid to both of them or just the X-Ray screener? (unless the x-ray screener kicks some back to the bag checker).
Then again, I doubt most screeners are practiced liars and would probably cave under *thorough* police questioning (doubtful to happen) or skillful cross-examination.