- Title: FRANCE: Paris airport installs new body scanner.
- Date: 10th February 2010
- Summary: VARIOUS OF EXAMPLE OF IMAGE SEEN BY OPERATOR (MUTE)
- Embargoed: 25th February 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: France
- Country: France
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
- Reuters ID: LVA1RPVOZYWKFV2NJ4ZWH060X4SK
- Story Text: A new type of security scanner that 'sees through' the clothing of passengers is installed at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, the latest weapon in the fight against would-be bombers.
France introduced its first body scanners at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on Monday (February 22).
The scanners will be 'undressing' passengers bound for the United States.
Using recent technology based on millimetric radio waves, the scanners will be able to see objects through passengers' clothes.
Marie-Helene, a French passenger scheduled to fly to Miami, said it was similar to a normal security check.
"It's not really different, you go in, you put your hands up and you are scanned. the feeling is the same as a normal check," she said.
An American passenger, Michael Ramel welcomed the new scanner, saying it was "safer and easier."
The scanner will be going through an experimental stage and passengers will have the choice between the new machine and the traditional body search.
Another French passenger on her way to Miami had reservations.
"It depends. If everyone can see the picture of me, I would rather the physical search," Agnes said.
The technology uses millimetric waves which do not go through the body, unlike the X-rays used by other devices and which show the skeleton of the passenger.
Head of the French civil aviation authority, Patrick Gandil, said there was no danger.
"However, it will reflect on objects hidden under the clothes and therefore we will be able to have a very good visualisation of everything situated on the skin and without any necessary contact", he said.
Only the operator, in a closed room, would see the image, and they would be of the same sex as the passenger.
The operator, situated in a closed roomnother room, will be of the same sex as the passenger being scanned.
Less than five seconds are required to scan a passenger to detect any object, whether metallic or made of plastic. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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