Nude scanner gets a BKK debut

Suvarnabhumi Airport will start a month-long trial run on a body scanner possibly next week. The equipment is on loan to the airports authority from Law Enforcement Technology Solutions as part of the company?s sales programme.

The microwave imaging equipment is called Brijot Gen2 and is supplied by Law Enforcement Technology the distributor in Thailand. The company approached Airports of Thailand and proposed a one-month free trial for the authority to decide whether they want to buy one.

Suvarnabhumi Airport deputy director, operation, Narongchai Thanadchangsaeng told TTR Weekly that staff was being trained to operate and read the monitor. The trial was supposed to begin today, but has been delayed due to installation hitches.

It will be located at the international security checkpoint on the west side of the airport. Passengers will undergo the standard scanning with metal detectors first. If the detectors beep, passengers will be given a standard pat-down by security staff or scanned by the Brijot Gen 2.

?Some passengers might prefer to be checked by the scanner because they find it uncomfortable being touched by strangers,? said Mr Narongchai.

In the US, critics describe it as ?nude scanner? claiming it gives an image of the body stripped of clothing. Some passengers object to it, believing it is intrusive and could possibly be a health risk especially for pregnant women.

Mr Narongchai asserted the image would not give anatomical details of the passengers. However, he admitted it does show body line and only the trial will show how much detail is evident on the screen for to staff to oggle over.

Critics also claim the scanners are being presented as a solution to recent security lapses, one involving a passenger concealing an explosive devise in his underpants on a flight to the US. It set on fire and he was apprehended.

The incident has boosted sales opportunity for the companies that sell body scanners, but the jury is still out on whether they are a viable solution for airports in Asia and worth the investment.

Mr Narongchai confirmed the Brijot Gen 2 would cost around US$100,000 to US$150,000 each, based on current quotes.

The company?s website claims,? Brijot Gen 2 with passive millimeter wave imaging capabilities can detect explosives, weapons, contraband, stolen electronics, liquid or gel. It can detect concealed objects in 0.5 second. Anatomical details are not revealed thereby eliminating personal privacy issues. Also, it is completely passive system, no transmission of radiation or energy of any kind and provides standoff detection of large explosives, liquids, gels and other ferrous and non-ferrous items.?

Sourced = The TTR Weekly