Airport trials 'naked x-ray machine'
Manchester airport begins trialling x-ray machine which can see through passengers' clothing
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By inthenews. |  |
Tuesday, 13, Oct 2009 11:21
By Richard James.
Manchester airport has begun trialling an x-ray machine which can see through passengers' clothing.
The new device captures a "naked" image of people standing in front of it, allowing staff to spot potential explosives and weapons being smuggled aboard flights.
During the year-long trial passengers will be given the opportunity to choose whether to go through the new x-ray machine or opt for a hand search.
In recent years, passengers have raised concern over similar trialled machines which can identify body piercings and breast enlargements.
"Our passengers tell us that they don't like being patted down by security staff," Sarah Barrett of Manchester airport customer relations is quoted by Sky News as saying.
"This technology offers a potential alternative but we know that some people see it as controversial. That's why we are running a trial."
The airport claims the crucial difference with this trial is that the operator of the x-ray machine can not see the individual actually being scanned.