Scanner That Sees Through Clothes Tested (AP)

[Eugene]

Scanner That Sees Through Clothes Tested

By TERRY TANG
The Associated Press
Friday, February 23, 2007; 2:07 PM

PHOENIX -- An X-ray security scanner that can see through clothing
was put into its first operational use Friday at Sky Harbor International
Airport and could be rolled out to two other major airports by year's
end.

The so-called "backscatter" technology has been controversial, with
critics saying the high-resolution images are too invasive. But the
Transportation Security Administration adjusted the machine's images
so the normally graphic pictures can be blurred in certain areas
while still being effective at detecting concealed weapons or other
threats.

-snip-

The machine will be tested for up to 90 days at a single checkpoint at
Sky Harbor's largest terminal, which hosts US Airways and Southwest
Airlines, two of the airlines with the most flights in and out of Phoenix.
The technology could be left in place after the trial period, and
Melendez said the agency hopes to also roll out the technology at
Los Angeles International Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy
International Airport by year's end.

During the pilot program, the machine will be used only as a secondary
screening measure; passengers who fail the standard screening process
will be able to choose between the new device or a typical pat-down
search.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/23/AR2007022301093.html