Originally Posted by
Spiff
X-ray machines at airports show objects due to differences in density. However, the x-ray will not show the presence of of explosives. If someone is kind enough to present explosives in a well-known shape, like a cartoon bomb, then such a device will possibly be identified by the drone working the x-ray machine. However, since plastic explosives are malleable, they can be molded into any shape and will not be identified if placed near items of similar density. Or, they may be molded into a benign-appearing shape and it is unlikely the operator will call for a bag check.
Got it! So the airport x ray operators are only looking for well known shapes? They wouldn't detect an unassembled gun for example. And could the density thing you were talking about, could they see something with the density of an explosive someplace where it wouldn't belong, like a SONY portable radio? Or a shoe? I mean couldn't the xray help you look for explosives? Kinda like the metal detector helps you look for guns, you look at any metal it finds, but you don't always find a gun.
I'm somewhat out of date, but as of the 1999 edition of Criminal Acts Against Civil Aviation, which I think can be found on line, I don't know of an actual attempt to bring a bomb through a checkpoint in the US. My screeners were trained to look for things regardless of shape. I'm surprised the TSA training isn't similar or better. And we NEVER let liquids go through the Xray, too dangerous for the electrical machinery. Liquids are hard to screen. Over the years the've been banned in different ways at different times. When TSA first took over, you couldn't bring un-sealed liquids through the checkpoint. Then coffee cups, if you took a sip. That goes back to threats in the 70's where the hijackers brought gasoline etc in wine bottles. Of course those guys weren't suicide bombers. I wonder how long the lines would be if TSA did sometype of ETD or chemical screening on every liquid container over 3.4 ounces?
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