By all accounts travellers with an exhibitionist fetish are busy rubbing their privates with glee at the news that we're all going to be walking through seriously revealing full body scanners at airports. Supposedly these new contraptions can detect every drug, bomb and weapon known to man or just big bum cracks, depending on which report you read.

Anyway, it used to be just your luggage that was X-rayed but very soon it's going to be you being scanned by an amazingly revealing electronic strip-search machine that can see through clothes, belts and shoes and reveal the naked you to those nice people at airport security. So with that in mind we thought it about time to check out just how exposed you'll be on your next hols.

How revealing is the Electronic scanner?

The scanner reveals a general outline of the body and blurry details of the anatomy. So although you can see all the private body parts, they are somewhat obscured. According to Steve Smith, the American who developed the Secure 1000 scanner "It shows about as much as if the person were wearing a tight bathing suit. Obviously, it must be used with discretion, such as ensuring that the monitor is visible only to the security screener."

Is modesty preserved?

Yes it is. "What it does is reduce the resolution at certain parts of the body, much like a broadcaster can pixilate someone's face," says Angus Fowlie, of the manufacturer, Rapiscan. While the scanner is more invasive than a conventional metal detector, Dr Smith says it is more effective as it can detect "21st Century weapons" such as explosives and plastic guns.

What can it detect - apart from the body?

Anything concealed on the person including coins in a pocket, trouser studs, metal or ceramic knives, guns, explosives, drugs. The shin bones, which lie close to the skin's surface, can also be seen, as can features such as the cleft between buttocks.

How long does it take to reveal all?

In just six seconds, an X-ray scanner can produce a 360° digital image of the body - minus clothes.
Who else uses the electronic scanner?

The scanner is in use in the US and worldwide in airports, embassies, court buildings, prisons and government properties. Civil liberties advocates have raised concerns about an operator's code of conduct and any risks of passers-by having a look.

This is how it looks for you and me

This is how it looks on screen

This is how it really looks

And here's a news clip about the new scanners

Feel free to post up comments below or on the forum

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