This Can Be Bad For CCW

[Arisin Wind]

FOXNews.com - Strip Search: Camera That Sees Through Clothes From 80 Feet Away - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News




LONDON — A camera that can see through people’s clothing at distances of up to 80 feet has been developed to help detect weapons, drugs and explosives.

The camera could be deployed in railway stations, shopping centres and other public spaces.

Although it can see objects under clothes, its designers say the images do not show anatomical details. However, it is likely to increase fears that Britain has become a surveillance society.

The new technology, known as the T5000 system, has attracted interest from police forces, train companies and airport operators as well as government agencies.

It has been developed by ThruVision, an Oxfordshire-based company spun out from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, one of the government’s leading physics research centres.

It was designed for use in spacecraft and astronomy but researchers soon realised that cameras capable of seeing through clouds of cosmic dust could also see through clothing. This week the camera will be displayed at the Home Office scientific development branch’s annual exhibition, Britain’s premier showcase for security equipment, to be held on an RAF airbase in Buckinghamshire.

ThruVision already offers a smaller system designed for office foyers that can scan through clothing at a range of 30 to 40 feet.

This has been used at the Canary Wharf complex in east London, which is home to several global banks and is regarded as a target for terrorists. The Dubai Mercantile Exchange has a similar installation.

The system can be linked to a computer so that it can automatically scan anyone passing and alert its human operator to anything suspicious. Clive Beattie, ThruVision’s chief executive, said: “Acts of terrorism have shaken the world in recent years and security precautions have been tightened globally. The T5000 dramatically extends the range over which we can scan people.”

Bill Foster, the president of Thermal Matrix, an American defence contractor specialising in imaging systems for the US military, is one customer. He said: “This could be deployed at major sporting events, concerts and rail stations as well as for military use.”

The technology works by detecting and measuring terahertz waves, or T-waves for short. These are a form of electromagnetic radiation, emitted by all people and objects that lie between the infrared and microwave parts of the spectrum.

The waves from any given material also carry a distinctive signature, offering the potential to distinguish Semtex from modelling clay and cocaine from sugar.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Cajun]

I'm afraid that technology used here would spark an avalanche of lawsuits regarding invasion of privacy. England has a history of keeping their people suppressed, hence, NO GUNS, so that is not a huge leap for them. That would be a huge task to try to sell this idea to the public as a "good" device for Homeland Security. And as for keeping it a secret, well, if 2 people know, it ain't a secret.
D

[randytulsa2]

It's pretty damn scary.

Just one more reason why there are some places I'm never, ever going.

What a way to start off my week.

[500Mag]

The new technology, known as the T5000 system, has attracted interest from police forces, train companies and airport operators as well as government agencies.

Wasn't that the bad guy robot from the Terminator 2 movie?

I guess if you want to ban all crime you need systems like this in place. (end sarcasm)

[barracudamagoo]

500Mag, that's the first thing I thought too.

[SonofASniper]

Its not the end of the world yet....


But we can see it from here.

[Paymeister]

'Superman' scanner to spot bombers - Times Online

[mr.stuart]

Technology can go too far

[pappy]

first thing that came to my mind is one of us walking down the street and all of a sudden surrounded by police and being yelled at to put our hands in the air.

[goawayfarm]

Don't forget that in the UK, you can't carry a pocket knife either!

[bandit383]

This was on another thread back a month or so...it shall be interesting. Personally, if I am legal to carry and not in unauthorized places...I do not see the problem. I worry more about the SCOTUS ruling than this...or who is elected.

Rick

[Thumper]

If that's what they're publicly talking about, can you imagine what they aren't publicly talking about?

[apierce918]

its designers say the images do not show anatomical details

the thing isnt even fun to use!

[goawayfarm]

Even if you carry concealed LEGALLY, this should be bother you.

If this gets into use in the US, what do you think the reaction of the operator of the system will be when he sees you with a firearm?....Do you think he/she is going to think "Oh, it's OK.....he must have a permit"......No, the response is going to be "MAN WITH A GUN!" & you will find yourself at gun point getting an anal exam........

[Kerbouchard]

If this can help me get through airport security any faster, I'm all for it...just keep it out of public areas.