1. Chapter Twelve: Cargo Screening Equipment

2. Learning Objectives After reading this chapter the reader should be able to: 1. Differentiate between the capabilities of screening equipment currently available. 2. Compare the functions and abilities of trace detection equipment to x-ray screening technology. 3. Identify the potential problems related to mass deployment of backscatter technology within the United States. 4. Recite the basic components of x- ray screening equipment. 5. Specify the criteria for successful performance of metal detectors. 3. Full Body Scanner 4. Backscatter X-rays Much organic material is low-density, and does not show up well on traditional transmission x-ray images. Organic matter, specifically explosive material, contains low atomic number (low Z) elements such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. AS&E creates photo-like Z Backscatter images showing organic materials by directing a sweeping beam of x-rays at the object under examination, and then measuring and plotting the intensity of scattered x-rays as a function of the beam position. This system has proved to be highly effective. As applied, the device produces a virtually naked image of passengers by bouncing x-rays off their skin. The device however does enable staff to instantly detect any hidden weapons or explosives 5. Z Back-Scatter Van 6. Rapiscan anti-terrorist security system 7. Virgin Atlantic Advertisement 8. Computerized Tomography (CT) The system operates and looks like a medical CAT scanner. The explosive detection device was adapted based on the same principles. The system first produces an x-ray scan similar to the conventional x- ray scanner. An automated inspection algorithm determines the locations within the baggage where the absorption indicates a suspicious area; cross- section CT slices then need to be made to determine the density, texture, mass and shape of the object. Dual-energy CT, a theoretically possible, although not yet implemented option, would also provide information on the nature of the explosive. 9. Computerized Tomography (CT) 10. Trace Detection Trace detection refers to a group of products that can analyze a swipe or air sample, detecting and identifying minute traces of substances. Some equipment can access the human convection plume, a natural airflow phenomenon radiating from the human body, to collect any threatening particles. The process takes four seconds to collect the trace particles and another eight seconds to analyze it. A proximity sensor activates both visual and audio prompters for the passenger to enter. As the person stands in the center of the archway, gradually stronger puffs of air come from four surrounding columns positioned to direct them from the lower to the upper body parts of the body, accelerating the plume at a faster rate than it would naturally rise. The systems also perform high-speed baggage inspection to accurately measure mass, density, atomic number, and other physical characteristics of objects, providing three independent x-ray images of each bag. 11. Security Puffer 12. Metal Detectors Selecting a Metal Detector Hand Held Body Scanners Previously, passengers were required to pass through simple metal detectors before boarding a vessel or aircraft or entering a facility or sterile concourse. However, such efforts have been repeatedly found to be less than 100% effective. There are still easily recognizable deficiencies in many current metal detectors. They simply do not trap all forms of dangerous weapons. More often, their greatest weakness is often cited as the inability to detect metals incapable of being magnetized. The scientific principle upon which metal detectors work is quite simple. Passive systems detect metal by changes in the earths magnetic field. Active detectors operate by creating an electro magnetic field and alarming when the field is disturbed by metal objects passing through it. In order to satisfy market demand; many companies have been through innumerable successive generations of equipment. Those improvements have featured increased levels of security performance in metal detection capability, discrimination of personal metal objects, and immunity to outside interference. Overall, managers need to contemplate such issues as external factors or sensitivity to environmental factors (i.e., environmental magnetic noise); physical construction or size; ease of operation, (i.e., ease of calibration, self calibration, and required frequency of calibration) and last but not least cost and appearance. The best hand held detectors are light weight in construction, have a comfortable grip, and a large scanning surface. 13. clear fly program 14. TSA's Passenger Screening Canine Detects Explosive Training Device Inside Airport Terminal 15. 1. Define the components of a standard x-ray machine. 2. Explain the science behind x-rays. 3. Discuss the disadvantages of a metal detector system. 4. Draft a one-page explanation sheet differentiating between the various types of screening equipment available on the commercial market. 5. Construct a floor plan for screening equipment in a facility of your choice. 6. Compare the advantages of multi-zone metal detection equipment to the former standard use machines. Case Study: Evaluate the environmental factors that might interfere with a metal detector on the premises where you work. How would you advise the security manager on the appropriate screening equipment to install? Submit a short essay. Discussion Questions and Exercises 16. How it works