My hands were scanned by a strange device during a security check at the airport. What was the purpose?
I had a plane last week from Warsaw Modlin to Barcelona and I had one untypical procedure. It's my 14th flight and I never had something similar before. At the security scan right away after I crossed through metal detector the security guy came to me and scanned both my hands from both sides by some strange scanner. My hand were clear and I haven't anything on them, so I didn't get what he was searching for... Did he search for powder/radiation or something other? He didn't scan everyone there, but just a couple of persons.
So what he was searching for with that scanner?
Best Answer
The way these systems work is that they take a sample of particles that are in contact with your skin. The device is then inserted into a scanner, which is programmed to scan for chemical signatures for certain substances.
These substances can be either explosive material (like gunpowder, tnt, etc.) or drugs.
These same devices are also used on luggage for the same reason.
For those devices that have a tape or cloth attachment, this attachment is actually superheated in the device.
This device is a portable version of the "puffer machine" installed at some major airports where you stand in a chamber and some air is circulated. This air picks up any molecules on your person, and is then analyzed for trace residue.
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Why did my hands get scanned at the airport?
As CNN explained, the Transportation Security Administration randomly swabs passengers' hands at checkpoints and airport gates to test them for traces of explosives. This was an expansion from simply swabbing luggage and other items.What do body scanners at the airport detect?
Depending on the type of machine, ionizing radiation is used to identify objects that may be hidden by passengers and to create images of what is in luggage. Backscatter passenger scanners are used to detect threats such as weapons or explosives that a person could be carrying under their clothing.Why did TSA scan my phone?
TSA said the screening \u201cis solely intended to verify that there has been no physical tampering or hidden threat placed within the electronic device.\u201dWhat do they swab for at airport security?
Explosive Trace Detection (Swabbing) Screening officers may swab your carry-on baggage, clothing, shoes or laptop. When a trace of person is required, the screening officer will swab your hands, waist area and foot (or footwear) and then use ETD technology to test for explosives.The Science of Airport Security
More answers regarding my hands were scanned by a strange device during a security check at the airport. What was the purpose?
Answer 2
The scan is looking for traces of explosives, gun powder and other incendiary chemicals.
Answer 3
They were checking you hands for traces of residue from explosives, and it is common practice, especially in Europa, from my experience.
I have been swabbed many times, but I found that it happens more often in Europa than in the United States, at least in my experience. When I'm swabbed in the United States, they usually swab the outside of my luggage, my laptop, other electronic devices, certain personal items, my hands, and in some rare cases they also swab my shoes. In Europa, my shoes are swabbed more often, and they usually also swab my clothing and waist area. There have been cases where they swabbed my stomach and lower back at European airports. This is all just from my own experience.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Kevin Paster, Andrea Piacquadio, Ksenia Chernaya