Detection Devices
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Backscatters
Use low-intensity X-ray beams to see through clothing
Per-unit cost:$139,000 to $142,000, including installation
Total investment: TSA owns one device that cost $142,000
Advantages: Can spot plastic and liquid explosives under clothing
Problems: Privacy rights of passengers, bulky, expensive installation, slow
Millimeter wave machines
Bounce radio frequency energy off passengers and analyze the reflection
Per-unit cost:$187,000 including installation
Total investment: TSA purchased eight devices for $1.7 million
Advantages: Can see through clothing and scan passengers quicker than backscatter devices
Problems: Privacy concerns, images not as clear as backscatter
Explosive trace portals
"Puffers" blast air on passengers and analyze particles that float off their skin or clothes
Per-unit cost:$97,000 to $140,000
Total investment:$28 million
Advantages: Can detect traces of explosives on clothing
Problems: Slow, unreliable, expensive to maintain
Explosive detection systems
MRI-like machines that screen checked bags
Per-unit cost:$285,000 to $1.2 million
Total investment: More than $5 billion to purchase, maintain and install 1,782 devices
Advantages: Efficient and one of the most sophisticated technologies for checking for explosive material
Disadvantages: Requires a lot of manpower to scan and sometimes open bags
