Whole body scanner that can reveal “syringe” bombs
The latest failed terrorist bomber attack onboard a Northwest flight from Amsterdam to Detroit illustrates the shortcomings of the current airport security systems to prevent smuggling metal-free explosive devices aboard.
Privacy concerns of new imaging technologies have been too long debated in the Press, and no decisions to deploy such systems have been taken. However, the situation has rapidly changed after this latest attempted attack. Privacy is no longer a priority — and rightly so – there was never a requirement to identify innocent travelers, and a whole-body scan is far less invasive than a strip search.
What, then, is the most effective response to these challenges?
Without the penetration limitations of backscatter and milliwave technologies, the CONPASS system developed by ADANI will allow the operator of the system to observe metallic, non-metallic, organic and non-organic substances hidden on the outer body, within clothing, prosthetics, or natural body cavities (i.e.-plastic, metal, glass, narcotics, plastic explosives, fine wires, paper currency, cell phones, precious stones, tobacco, etc.)
We must also recall the most recent attack against Prince Mohamed in Saudi Arabia last August. The bomb was the same type and was hidden in the anal cavity of the suicide bomber. Technologies such as backscatter radiation, passive imaging, etc., are only surface sensitive and cannot detect objects hidden inside the human body; they are of limited value against obvious threats that can be found in any case by metal detection (with its attendant, timewasting false positives) and “patting down.
The only equipment currently available that is proven to be effective in detecting swallowed drugs and dangerous objects hidden not only in underwear but also in anatomical cavities is the minimal dose X-ray transmission whole body scanner.
This ADANI scanner completes a full scan in less than 8 seconds with negligible radiation dose.The dose per scan is 0.25 microsievert– one hundredth of the cosmic radiation dose to air passengers typically received during one iflight from Europe to America. ANSI considers any dose less than 10 μSv to be negligible.
The UK Health Protection Agency concluded in January 2008 (Radiation Metrology Report 43409), that a single scan of 0.25 μSv is equivalent to the natural radiation dose from one Brazil nut! or 30 minutes of daily living in Cornwall!
The CONPASS is the only digital x-ray system that will “scan” an entire adult body in 8 seconds, with an absorbed radiation dose so low that a crew member could be scanned three times a day for an entire year and still fall below the US federal government mandated acceptable guidelines (0.25 millisievert per year) for members of the public (the limit for employees is 1 mSv/yr)
Moreover, these scanners are able to see through the prostheses that can be potentially used as containers for explosives, and detect “soft anomalies” such as drug smuggling.
These scanners offer a greater level of protection than existing systems and enable a more comprehensive approach to the examination of individuals to ensure that no unauthorized or dangerous items are on or in the body. Installations are presently in the UK,USA and other countries in Airports Prisons, Mines etc.
Below are actual examples of ADANI's scanning capability:
Left to right: cell phone in rectal cavity, swallowed drugs in stomach, prosthesis
ADANI is a scientific and industrial enterprise situated in Minsk, Belarus. It was founded in 1991 by a group of scientific engineers from the Belarusian State University. By now ADANI has become a leading developer and producer of hi-tech medical and security equipment in low dosage digital radiographic systems.
ADANI actively explore new markets in order to bring high quality products and solutions providing low dosage radiation solutions and looking to create new safety standards.
For further information contact :
Tel: +375 17 214-58 46
Contact in UK:
Braun and Company Limited
Tel: +44 1652 632273
Fax: +44 1652 633399
EU General Representative Office:
Corporate Technology Services, sprl
Tel: + 32 2 503-22-82
Fax: + 32 2 513-32-15
Contact in USA:
Virtual Imaging, Inc.
Tel: 954-428-6191