Shocker! TSA's nude scans would miss taped-on bombs

WND ^ | NOVEMBER 28, 2010 | Jerome R. Corsi

[RobinMasters]

A new peer-reviewed scientific study says the backscatter full-body imaging X-ray machines being used by the federal Transportation Security Administration could be fooled by terrorists who simply would mold explosives to conform to their bodies.

WND obtained an advance copy of the report, titled "An evaluation of airport X-ray backscatter units based on image characteristics," in which University of California scientists Leon Kaufman and Joseph Carlson demonstrated that packages of explosives contoured to the body or worn along the sides likely would not be detected by TSA X-ray units built to "see" hard edges and anatomical features, and used primarily to image the front and back of the body.

The article comes from Dr. David Brenner of Columbia's Center for Radiological Research, whose research includes estimating the risks of low dose X-ray exposures.

WND previously reported that Brennan has cautioned that it is "quite likely" that radiation from screening machines being installed nationwide by the TSA to use on airline passengers will cause cancer, especially among high-risk groups that include frequent fliers and children.

[dhs12345]

Also, where did the shoe and underwear bomber’s flights originate? Not in the US? Wonder if those countries have the intrusive scan and pat down?

[smokingfrog]

They could miss a lot of things.

[bigbob]

I’ve wondered how long it will be before bad guys create a bomb that in the shape of (ahem) an anatomical body part...

[ViLaLuz]

The scanner and pat down would miss anything in a body cavity. What folly.

[doc1019]

Wouldn’t they have to remove the original parts first? That might not go over so well. LOL!

[YHAOS]

"A new peer-reviewed scientific study says the backscatter full-body imaging X-ray machines being used by the federal Transportation Security Administration could be fooled by terrorists who simply would mold explosives to conform to their bodies."

Doesn't matter. It's not the purpose of the scanners anyway. The scanners are meant to force Americans to submit to humiliating intrusions into their privacy. It's no more complicated than that.

[Mr. K]

Didn’t anybody TEST THESE THINGS???

[CapnJack]

“I’ve wondered how long it will be before bad guys create a bomb that in the shape of (ahem) an anatomical body part...”

You mean a “John Holmes” special?

[SteamShovel]

Didn’t anybody TEST THESE THINGS???

This is a classic example of the "do something" syndrome.....

.....They knew what they need to do (profile).

.....They couldn't do it because of PC.

.....So they did "something", even if it was wrong and ineffective.

I also believe they have done this to prove they can do it. It's about control, even if it doesn't obtain the objective specified.

[GeronL]

doesn’t surprise me in the least... whats this “shocker” thing anyways?

[Let's Roll]

Just more unintended consequences from the people who brought you CFL filled with mercury etc.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

This American refuses to submit.

[TheBattman]

Would also miss weapons hidden in body cavities.

So I wouldn’t be surprise I’d the next step in the TSA’s Gestapo playbook is “random” body cavity searches.

[Syntyr]

“They could miss a lot of things.”

Tape a box cutter to the bottom of your feet...

Just sayin...

[Uncle Miltie]

Write this on tin-foil, and put it in your shirt pocket:

Dare the TSA to throw it in the garbage.

[YHAOS]

There’s more than one of us (but you knew that).

[depressed in 06]

That feature is in the $1,000,000 upgrade to the $600,000 scanner.

[heartless youngster]

Now they will have to start giving everybody a full pat down.

[BigBobber]

Yeah, and the TSA said their policy is not to have passengers remove their prostheses for examination - another obvious place to hide explosives.

These scanners and molestations do nothing to enhance security. Nothing.

[tbw2]

We already know that it misses items in body cavities. That might include anything trapped between large layers of body fat (which has been used to smuggle in items to jail). This report means it would also miss items form molded. OK, we can just switch to profiling since none of the high-tech will stop low tech methods of smuggling on a bomb.

And that's assuming they don't Fedex or UPS it.

[mosesdapoet]

Thanks for the posting
Knew that all along, but missed WND posting and will link this source to my posting on this subject; 5 Questions 2011 Congress Must Ask TSA http;//www.theusmat.com/

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Privatize airport security and stupid incompetency along with unconstitutional groping will be a thing of the past. Get the government out of the business.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Privatize airport security and stupid incompetency along with unconstitutional groping will be a thing of the past. Get the government out of the business.

[tacticalogic]

Tape a box cutter to the bottom of your feet...

Hijacking a plane with a box cutter was a one shot deal. If they tried it again today, they'd be a slick spot in the aisle by the time the plane landed.

[mosesdapoet]

Correction link is http:www.theusmat.com/

[mosesdapoet]

Correction link is http://www.theusmat.com/

[photodawg]

’ve wondered how long it will be before bad guys create a bomb that in the shape of (ahem) an anatomical body part...
//////////////////////////////

HAHAHA!!!!!!!! a 10 inch penis made of C4.

[TXnMA]

I'm not familiar with the plastic explosives, but, AFAIDK, they are all nitrogen compounds. I Do know (from personal experience in cardiac ICU, that nitroglycerine (from "patches") is readily absorbed through the skin -- and, when that happens, it gives you a crippling headache. In fact they also administered morphine to dull the nitro headache.

It would seem that anyone stupid enough to mold a nitro explosive to H/H body should be recognizable by evidence of either severe pain or drug stupor...

[FreeKeys]

the backscatter full-body imaging X-ray machines ... could be fooled by terrorists who simply would mold explosives to conform to their bodies.

C4 explosive plastic is very moldable

[FreeKeys]

Privatize airport security and stupid incompetency along with unconstitutional groping will be a thing of the past. Get the government out of the business.

Amen. And make THE AIRLINES DO IT -- they have THE MOST to lose from slip-ups: Precious reputations as well as planes, crews and loyal passengers.

[ssugasl231]

The TSA scanner/pat down are 100% INeffective. Why?

Terrorists already know how to bypass them.

They are completely useless, we should move to Israeli-style profiling now.

http://www.libradex.com/viewArticle.aspx?id=107

[ssugasl231]

Well, terrorists have ALREADY used a bomb in their rectum. Last year. To defeat a pat down.

http://www.libradex.com/viewArticle.aspx?id=107

[ssugasl231]

Exactly! And Al Queda had a guy explode a bomb in his rectum just last year.

They clearly are able and willing to do it.

They could do it tomorrow and TSA would catch nothing.

[ssugasl231]

Can’t they just wrap it in Saran Wrap?

[Cementjungle]

I still say we should just employ bomb/crotch-sniffing dogs. They’re much more efficient and cost-effective.

[ssugasl231]

except that terrorists can spend time and seal bombs so that they don’t emit any smells.

[TheBattman]

YEah - what policy - tell that to the cancer survivor who was forced to removed her prosthetic breast a couple weeks back...

[numberonepal]

except that terrorists can spend time and seal bombs so that they don’t emit any smells.

Not possible.

[ssugasl231]

I believe that it is possible to seal material that it doesn’t emit any molecules. It doesn’t last forever, but it is possible. Vacuum sealing + using special packaging.

[numberonepal]

Only possible in a clean room and then the person implanted would have to be scrubbed and sealed until the deed is done. I doubt the moron terrorists would have access or know how to do anything of the sort. Not possible for THEM might be a better answer. Maybe Intel or Monsanto could pull it off, but it’d still be a darn tough row to hoe.

[BigBobber]

YEah - what policy - tell that to the cancer survivor who was forced to removed her prosthetic breast a couple weeks back...

Right after that incident happened the TSA announced that their policy is not to make passengers remove prostheses. This obviously creates an opportunity for would-be terrorists.

Body scans and pat downs are not effective. Need to go to profiling and bomb sniffing devices