Written by Teresa Knudsen. Published on Suite 101 April 07, 2010.
Republished January 11, 2012 on Sweet Suite Writings
Michael Chertoff, Conflict of Interest, Canines, and Body Scans
While two US government agencies disagree about whether the devices known as "full-body airport scan" would have detected or not detected the "Christmas Bomber" Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, other questions remain about Former Homeland Security head Michael Chertoff's conflict of interest, and the cheaper alternative of using canine units to detect security breaches.
In a March 5, 2010 CNN story, TSA Acting Administrator Gale Rossides testified before a congressional sub-committee to state that the body scans were able to detect materials similar to the one allegedly used on Christmas Day 2009. However, when U.S. Representative Harold Rogers (R-Kentucky) asked about the scans reliability, if the scans worked every time, Rossides did not have an answer.
On March 17, 2010, the GAO issued its report on the scanners, saying that the body scanners, or advanced imaging technology, might not be able to detect the type of explosive that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab allegedly had sewn in his underpants.
The GAO joins the growing list of concerned organizations, people, and countries questioning the reliability and validity of the devices commonly called "full-body scanners," airport body scanners," or "government body scanners.
According to Kate Hanni, "Michael Chertoff has marginalized himself in the worst way possible by 'selling' the flying public on claims that these Rapiscan full body scanners are a panacea...they will NOT detect anything in a body cavity that is deeper than 1/10th of an inch, which experts warn will likely be a part of future attacks."
In March 23, 2010 email about the body scanners, in reply to an inquiry from Suite 101 writer Teresa Knudsen, Hanni wrote the following:
"We hope that technology that will not invade our privacy and which will actually detect bombs and explosives is developed and implemented soon. These scanners currently being implemented will do neither."
Dr. Furton states "There is extensive research reinforcing the proven ability of detector dogs to detect explosives without the intrusive privacy issues involved in full body scanning. It is not certain that even with a high resolution image of a traveler's groin region that a half cup of explosive powder would be detectable."
The TSA website published a 2007 article that supports Dr. Furton's research. On May 22, 2007, in an article titled "Call for Action: Airport Security-The Nose Knows," In the article, the TSA wrote that using bomb-sniffing dogs appears to be more effective than any technology the TSA is using:
"Much goes on behind the scenes to keep you safe...at the x-ray screenings and metal detectors. This is hi-tech stuff. But sometimes being hi-tech isn't always enough. Sometimes a highly trained dog is better than all the security gadgets we can dream up."
With the TSA itself publishing that K-9 units might be better than x-ray screenings and metal detectors, it begs the question of why tax-payer funds are being used for technology that doesn't work as well as dogs do.
References
"Call for Action: Airport Security-The Nose Knows." Transportation Security Administration. May 22, 2007. http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/call_for_action_dogs.shtm
Furton, Kenneth G., Dr. Dr. Kenneth G. Furton, Professor of Chemistry, International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, via Hanni, Kate. "FlyersRights.org: Michael Chertoff Pitch Man for Full Body Scanners! Former Homeland Security Chief Admits Lucrative Business Relationship With Manufacturer During Talk Show Rounds." PR Newswire. United Business Media. January 03, 2010.
Hanni, Kate. "FlyersRights.org: Michael Chertoff Pitch Man for Full Body Scanners! Former Homeland Security Chief Admits Lucrative Business Relationship With Manufacturer During Talk Show Rounds." PR Newswire. United Business Media. January 03, 2010.http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flyersrightsorg-michael-chertoff-pitch-man-for-full-body-scanners-80537152.html
Kate Hanni, President of FlyersRights.org. E-mail to Teresa Knudsen, Tuesday, March 23, 2010 4:16 PM.
Lord, Steve. Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues. Government Accountability Office (GAO). "Aviation Security - TSA Is IncreasingProcurement and Deployment of the Advanced Imaging Technology, but Challenges to This Effort and Other Areas of Aviation Security Remain." http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10484t.pdf
Neefus, Christopher. "Full-Body Airport Scanners May Not Have Thwarted Alleged Christmas Day Bomber, GAO Says." Monday, April 05, 2010 CNSNEWS.COM http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/63747
TSA and GAO Disagree on Reliability of Body Scans
The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and the Government Accounting Office (GAO) cannot agree on the reliability or validity of government body scans.In a March 5, 2010 CNN story, TSA Acting Administrator Gale Rossides testified before a congressional sub-committee to state that the body scans were able to detect materials similar to the one allegedly used on Christmas Day 2009. However, when U.S. Representative Harold Rogers (R-Kentucky) asked about the scans reliability, if the scans worked every time, Rossides did not have an answer.
On March 17, 2010, the GAO issued its report on the scanners, saying that the body scanners, or advanced imaging technology, might not be able to detect the type of explosive that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab allegedly had sewn in his underpants.
The GAO joins the growing list of concerned organizations, people, and countries questioning the reliability and validity of the devices commonly called "full-body scanners," airport body scanners," or "government body scanners.
FlyersRights President Kate Hanni Cites Michael Chertoff's Conflict of Interest
FlyersRights.org President Kate Hanni spoke of her concerns that not only are the scanners unable to do their job, but also that Michael Chertoff, former Department of Homeland Security Secretary, has a conflict of interest by promoting the technology of a company that is his client.According to Kate Hanni, "Michael Chertoff has marginalized himself in the worst way possible by 'selling' the flying public on claims that these Rapiscan full body scanners are a panacea...they will NOT detect anything in a body cavity that is deeper than 1/10th of an inch, which experts warn will likely be a part of future attacks."
In March 23, 2010 email about the body scanners, in reply to an inquiry from Suite 101 writer Teresa Knudsen, Hanni wrote the following:
"We hope that technology that will not invade our privacy and which will actually detect bombs and explosives is developed and implemented soon. These scanners currently being implemented will do neither."
Research Shows Reliability of Canine Detection of Explosives
The news release from FlyersRights.org brings up the results of research studies of canine security in detecting explosives. Dr. Kenneth G. Furton is Professor of Chemistry at the International Forensic Research Institute, at Florida International University. Dr. Furton has worked with canines for about twenty years.Dr. Furton states "There is extensive research reinforcing the proven ability of detector dogs to detect explosives without the intrusive privacy issues involved in full body scanning. It is not certain that even with a high resolution image of a traveler's groin region that a half cup of explosive powder would be detectable."
The TSA website published a 2007 article that supports Dr. Furton's research. On May 22, 2007, in an article titled "Call for Action: Airport Security-The Nose Knows," In the article, the TSA wrote that using bomb-sniffing dogs appears to be more effective than any technology the TSA is using:
"Much goes on behind the scenes to keep you safe...at the x-ray screenings and metal detectors. This is hi-tech stuff. But sometimes being hi-tech isn't always enough. Sometimes a highly trained dog is better than all the security gadgets we can dream up."
With the TSA itself publishing that K-9 units might be better than x-ray screenings and metal detectors, it begs the question of why tax-payer funds are being used for technology that doesn't work as well as dogs do.
References
"Call for Action: Airport Security-The Nose Knows." Transportation Security Administration. May 22, 2007. http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/call_for_action_dogs.shtm
Furton, Kenneth G., Dr. Dr. Kenneth G. Furton, Professor of Chemistry, International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, via Hanni, Kate. "FlyersRights.org: Michael Chertoff Pitch Man for Full Body Scanners! Former Homeland Security Chief Admits Lucrative Business Relationship With Manufacturer During Talk Show Rounds." PR Newswire. United Business Media. January 03, 2010.
Hanni, Kate. "FlyersRights.org: Michael Chertoff Pitch Man for Full Body Scanners! Former Homeland Security Chief Admits Lucrative Business Relationship With Manufacturer During Talk Show Rounds." PR Newswire. United Business Media. January 03, 2010.http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flyersrightsorg-michael-chertoff-pitch-man-for-full-body-scanners-80537152.html
Kate Hanni, President of FlyersRights.org. E-mail to Teresa Knudsen, Tuesday, March 23, 2010 4:16 PM.
Lord, Steve. Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues. Government Accountability Office (GAO). "Aviation Security - TSA Is IncreasingProcurement and Deployment of the Advanced Imaging Technology, but Challenges to This Effort and Other Areas of Aviation Security Remain." http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10484t.pdf
Neefus, Christopher. "Full-Body Airport Scanners May Not Have Thwarted Alleged Christmas Day Bomber, GAO Says." Monday, April 05, 2010 CNSNEWS.COM http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/63747
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