Medical Imaging
A page reserved for hot topics in medical imaging like TSA's virtual strip search technology.
Given all the controversy over "strip or grope" (virtual strip search or full pat-down) - what is known about the radiation levels of these backscatter devices? TSA doesn't seem to know or not willing to say. This is what I've gleaned so far:
The view from outside parties:
EPIC (Electronic Privacy Information Center) June 2005 report
Assessment of comparative ionising radiation doses from the use of rapiscan secure 1000 x-ray backscatter security scanner from UK Department of Transport
NIST Rapiscan Secure 1000 Redacted Radiological Safety Report
The caveats are that the machine must be properly operated and maintained. Those of us in the medical field know that the errors come from anything that can be controlled by humans (e.g., setting values). What level of training are TSA personnel receiving? More than our radiology techs? My guess - NOT.
Lost in all the dialogue is that the backscatter devices only penetrate to 1/10 of an inch meaning anything tucked in a fold of skin or body cavity won't be detected.