New airport scanner shows weapons, not nudity

The aborted terrorist attack to blow up NW flight 253 last Christmas day has increased awareness for better passenger screening. As we reported last January, more full body scanners are on order by TSA, to add to those already deployed at 19 airports in the United States.

The problem with these scanners is that they use millimeter wave technology, have been around in some form since about 2001, generate low levels of radiation, and most upsetting to many travelers, they simply show too much details of a naked torso. Some have even called the images of youngsters "child pornography." This is a deal breaker to many travelers, including pregnant women, and those with privacy concerns. Citizens of the EU traveling within Europe, may decline full body scans, and opt for personal pat downs in a separate screening area, which is both time consuming and more costly.

CAPTIONS: (ABOVE LEFT) Yankee and Foxtrot signal flags indicate in need of immediate assistance (Image courtesy of Peter Harris);  (BELOW RIGHT) ISCON 1000D Full Body Imager (Photo courtesy Iscon Video Imaging, Inc.); (BELOW LEFT) Peter Harris, Chief Strategic Officer at Iscon Video Imaging, Inc. (Photo courtesy Peter Harris);  (BELOW RIGHT LOWER) September 11 and Statue of Liberty (Wikipedia/National Park Service); (BELOW LEFT LOWER) Game Changer with subject (Iscon Video Imaging, Inc.);  (BELOW RIGHT BOTTOM 1) Glasses in breast pocket (Iscon Video Imaging, Inc.); (BELOW LEFT BOTTOM) Concealed explosives near crotch (Iscon Video Imaging, Inc.); (BELOW RIGHT BOTTOM 2) Conventional millimeter wave full body scanner (TSA)

A video follows this article about the ISCON 1000D full body scanner.

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But there is a better way. TSA is currently evaluating two devices made by Iscon Video Imaging, Inc. of Woburn, Massachusetts. One is a portal full body scanner, called the ISCON 1000D. A person being inspected stands on a small platform. A computer generated digital image is then produced showing concealed objects with great clarity, ignoring anatomical contours and physical details of the subject being scanned.

According to Peter Harris, Chief Strategic Officer at Iscon Video Imaging, Inc., and a security consultant and principal with Yankee-Foxtrot.com, "Passenger screening should be as unobtrusive as possible."

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and former Grumman A-6 Intruder carrier based fighter pilot, Mr. Harris has dedicated his life to making sure that the events which blew up Pan American World Airways Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988 and the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 never happen again.

In an extended telephone interview earlier today, March 8, we asked Mr. Harris details about the Iscon Video Imaging, Inc. technology. His answers are shown below in bold type.

Q. Mr. Harris, why the name Yankee-Foxtrot for your consulting firm?

"Yankee and Foxtrot are two Navy Signal flags which, when flown together means a ship is in distress and in need of immediate assistance. Historically, it was used to designate a mutiny on the high seas. My intent with those symbols was to help emerging companies develop their security products."

Q. How did you become involved with Iscon Video Imaging, Inc.?

"I formerly worked for Analogic, Inc., a multi million dollar security firm, later formed a company called Rapport, Inc., specializing in access control, and involved with the technology of checked luggage. The events of Lockerbie deeply moved me, and got me involved with the Pan Am 103 families of the victims. September 11 intensified my efforts."

Q. What products are made by Iscon Video Imaging, Inc.?

"Iscon makes two devices, the ISCON 1000D, which is a larger scale portal screening device on which a traveler or other person would stand on a small platform while being scanned. The 1000D is approximately 30% less expensive than other competing portal products. The other device is called the Game Changer. It is lightweight, portable, and very cost effective, about one-fifth the price of the 1000D. It may roughly be compared to wands currently used to detect metal objects."

Q. How are they different from existing technologies?

"Both products produce a boosted infrared (IR) image, and are elegant in their simplicity. They operate by sensing heat differences between a person's body, and inanimate objects that may be concealed under clothing. They emit no harmful radiation, and the images they produce do not invade individual privacy, as many claim is the case with existing millimeter wave backscatter technologies."

Q. Are there any other advantages to using the Iscon technology?

"Yes. Not only are they less expensive to purchase, but they are also simpler and less expensive to operate. For example, instead of having separate male and female security personnel operate these machines, and process the images, as demanded in certain cultures and situations, since they are gender neutral in what they display, a person of any sex can be assigned to operate the devices for all persons being screened."

Q. How do they work?

"Metal detectors were first introduced in the early 1970's. These were followed by Backscatter (x-rays) used in the 1990's, and millimeter wave imaging used from 2001 on, all older technologies. In fact, backscatter full body imaging was first used in prison systems to screen inmates returning from work furloughs. Iscon uses a system to marginally preheat the human body with warm air, then picks up small differences in temperature of inanimate concealed objects, which it then images using computer technology as a thermal imprint.

Millimeter waves and x-rays penetrate through clothes. ISCON senses heat and heat differences only of inanimate objects. It does not show images of the subject, or their physical body. It uses a forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera to detect temperature differences, which are then enhanced."

Q. When can we expect to see them in airports?

"They have applications not only in airports, but also in schools, government buildings, courts, and anywhere that cutting edge security is needed. TSA is currently testing Iscon’s technology at their Laboratory in Atlantic City, as an alternative for Whole Body Imaging and for airport applications. After successful testing at the end of this month, we would imagine a pilot program of units installed at airports across the country for more trials, and have arranged with TSA to train 27 of their screeners.

The Government of China has just purchased one of our Game Changer units. The British agency which operates Heathrow and other U.K. airports, has expressed an interest in our technology. Finally, the military is very interested in what is known as 'Standoff Detection' of potential terrorists. We are working on applications that can be used at a range of up to 40 meters, the distance between home plate and second base on a baseball field. Security needs are a high priority in today's world, and we are well positioned to meet those needs."

Q. Thank you Mr. Harris for your time.

"You are most welcome. It was a pleasure talking with you."

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