الوصف

PINNACLE Make full-body scanner is a device that detects objects on a person's body for security screening purposes, without physically removing clothes or making physical contact. Depending on the specific technology, the operator may see an alternate-wavelength image of the person's naked body, or merely a cartoon-like representation of the person with an indicator showing where any suspicious items were detected. For privacy and security reasons, the display is generally not visible to other passengers, and in some cases is located in a separate room where the operator cannot see the face of the person being screened. Unlike metal detectors, full-body scanners can detect non-metal objects, which became an increasing concern after various airliner bombing attempts in the ***0s.

Two distinct technologies are in general use:

• Millimeter wave scanner use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation similar to that used by wireless data transmitters, in the extremely high frequency radio band (which is a lower frequency than visible light). Because the radiation is non-ionizing, it is not carcinogenic and is generally considered safe for living things. Passive sensors are also available (but are not in general use at airports) which rely on ambient EM radiation and do not emit any
• Backscatter X-ray machines uses ionizing electromagnetic radiation, similar to a dental X-ray. Ionizing radiation is carcinogenic, but the dosage generated by this type of full-body scanner is small enough that the increased risk of cancer is comparable to the risk generated by radiation from natural sources or by flying at high altitudes.