Government

Internal DHS Report: ‘Vulnerabilities’ Identified in TSA Body Scanner Screening Process

Privacy Group Using FIOA to Seek Classified Report Identifying Vulnerabilities in TSA Body Scanners

(Image: TSA)

Part of the investigation over Monday’s Al-Qaeda underwear bomb plot that was foiled by the CIA involves evaluating whether the “sophisticated new design” of the bomb could have passed through airport security. As this news continues to unfold, Wired reports an internal report of the Department of Homeland Security was recently revealed, noting “vulnerabilities in the screening process” for the controversial full-body scanners at many airport security check-points.

(Related: CIA thwarts another  Al-Qaeda underwear bomb plot)

Wired says the report does not detail “how bad” the full body scanners are, but an unclassified Inspector General report from Nov. 2011 was found by the Electronic Information Privacy Center on Friday and shares a snippet of information. EPIC is challenging the full report’s “Sensitive Security Information” classification and in a separate lawsuit has also challenged the use of the scanners as a whole, calling them ”invasive, unlawful, and ineffective.”

The report states the Transportation Security Administration as of Jan. 2011 had spent $87 million on the new scanner program, which the Office of the Inspector General evaluated the effectiveness of and whether the TSA officials at checkpoints followed the proper procedures. This information was presented to the DHS, TSA and Congressional committees.

Here’s what the Inspector General writes in the unclassified one-page report:

We identified vulnerabilities in the screening process at the passenger screening checkpoint at the domestic airports where we conducted testing. As a result of our testing, we made eight recommendations and TSA concurred with all the recommendations. When fully implemented, these recommendations should strengthen the overall effectiveness of the screening process at the passenger screening checkpoint. TSA appreciated the work done by the Office of Inspector General and will analyze the audit results as part of its ongoing efforts to assess and improve passenger checkpoint screening. The agency acknowledged that improvements can be made in the operation of new passenger screening technologies to prevent individuals with threat objects from entering airport sterile areas undetected. TSA will continue to take the necessary steps to increase the effectiveness of [advanced imaging technology].

Privacy Group Using FIOA to Seek Classified Report Identifying Vulnerabilities in TSA Body Scanners

Screenshot of the DHS unclassified version of the report.

Wired reports EPIC attorney Amie Stepanovich saying the group will be filing a Freedom of Information Act claim in order to try and divulge the information in the full report, saying it “involves a program that is important to the public.”

As Wired notes, the backscatter X-ray scanners are no stranger to suggested vulnerabilities. Check out Wired’s three-part series on the “nude” scanners for more on their questionable effectiveness here.

The Blaze has also reported on the scanners controversial history from the program’s privacy changes last summer to just last month a blogger claiming to have found security loopholes. See more stories from the Blaze on the scanners and TSA here.

Comments (33)

  • lukerw
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:04pm

    Ban UnderWear… and increase Searches :)

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • sjohn70037
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:19pm

    Listen to this: I was going thru TSA security at San Francisco Airport last week. The dumba$$ TSA only had two of six lanes open so it was crammed on a Sunday afternoon. Suddenly you hear one TSA agent yelling to another watching travelers go thru the scanners “Hey, are you checking boarding passes? You’re supposed to be checking boarding passes.“ With the response of ”Well no one told me to.”

    The TSA are nothing but a bunch of incompetent boobs who don’t have a clue. Congress should defund them immediately.

    Report Post » sjohn70037  
    • Steev
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 8:19pm

      Yes, in all the time t.s.a. has been in operation iv’e heard of – wait for it , wait for it – a grand total of “ 0 ” bomb thwartations from the t.s.a., and if those “ keystone cops ” ever do thwart a bomb attempt i’d be very suspect of the origination of that statistic.

      Report Post » Steev  
  • A Bit of Thought
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:16pm

    The biggest flaw in the scanners is the concept – Instead of capturing terrorists, the scanner concept is to detect and confiscate politically incorrect property from the law abiding.

    Report Post »  
  • polnick
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:00pm

    The name of the genius bomb maker is now known, he is Asiri the Mahdi. Somewhere along the Af/Pak border hidden in a high-tech lab he designs new underwear bombs. Each is capable of turning an airliner into a flaming ball. His price to cease and desist is one trillion USD; it must be met for a return of our friendly skies.

    Report Post » polnick  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:28pm

    Profiling is the way to greater security.

    Send TSA to Israel and learn fm El Al.

    Report Post » Elena2010  
  • Jaycen
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:11pm

    We went 10 years before the first scanners appeared. The TSA has stopped 0 terrorists, and they’ve foiled 0 terrrorist plots.

    Daily, they trample the 4th amendment protections of millions of Americans.

    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

    Report Post » Jaycen  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:45pm

    Organize. Organize. Organize. Soro’s does. Obummer use to work as one.

    “To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last — but eat you he will.” Ronald Reagan

    We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution. Abraham Lincoln

    Power always thinks… that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all his laws. John Adams

    The right of a nation to kill a tyrant in case of necessity can no more be doubted than to hang a robber, or kill a flea. John Adams

    Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:13pm

    how are so called Christians against homosexuals but are for homosexual action being place upon them by security, makes no sense to me, get rid of the TSA.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • sick6james
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:12pm

      Some of them wiped too hard after taking a sh*t and their fingers slipped in. Well, that’s one theory anyway.

      Report Post » sick6james  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:02pm

    I have an idea, profile and scrutinize young middle eastern men……

    Report Post »  
  • Razlord
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:18am

    Underground Base Entrances
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjB1vlf-3o4&feature=related

    We ARE Are Being Prepared For The Imposition of Martial Law!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GtEucrKmIQ&feature=related

    Report Post »  
  • Razlord
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:02am

    Full-Body Scanners May Increase Cancer Risk
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNFjzhKujIk

    enjoy.

    Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:44am

      yes they might I am not running through them I will tell you tha.t not safe they need to screen the potential terrorists and not me and my family

      Report Post »  
    • Razlord
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:39pm

      nothing about safety…all about control.

      Report Post »  
  • Razlord
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:50am

    TSA Releases Video Of Pat Down Confrontation With Congressman
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZODrqcPsFU&feature=player_embedded

    nothing about safety…you are being conditioned.

    Report Post »  
    • Marci
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:12am

      Exactly Raz. And this “newfound” b.s. is just another way for them to justify even more invasion. I find it odd that terrorists would try this same trick again if they didn’t know they could get away with it. But they know they can, because the only people who are scanned, patted down, invaded, etc. do not fit the profile of a terrorist. Those that do are ignored and ushered through. They know this.

      Report Post » Marci  
    • Razlord
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:38am

      preach, sister, preach…
      hopefully all will know the truth.

      love the ones you are with…fun times coming.

      Report Post »  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:48am

    Former Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff has been criticized for heavily promoting full-body scanners while not always fully disclosing that he is a lobbyist for one of the companies that makes the machines. Other full-body scanner lobbyists with Government connections include:
    former TSA deputy administration Tom Blank
    former assistant administrator for policy at the TSA, Chad Wolf
    Kevin Patrick Kelly, “a former top staffer to Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., who sits on the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee”
    Former Senator Al D’Amato
    ….wonder how much these ‘kind folk’ got paid to ‘push’ these machines and destroy our freedoms?

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • spirited
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:38am

    Would flamable liquid inserted and held in the rectum be detectable?

    >That and a match ?

    Report Post » spirited  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:35am

    After all the harassment, they still have so many holes, the terrorists would find it laughable.

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
  • G-WHIZ
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:35am

    When the Progressives-in-government bought the scanners from one of their [largest contributors], they already knew, these macines were only to help the over-spending for crashing the system. They knew these were for training the sheeple to finally accept more goverment intrusions, necissarily.

    Report Post »  
  • StudyYourHistoryB
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:30am

    How could there possibly be Vulnerabilities, the US government is in control of the organization. Im am so glad US government and TSA have Sexually Harrassed the population of the US in airport screenings for years now to find out SUPRISE there are “Vulnerabilities”. How many men women and children have been made feel vulnerable after US government and the TSA grabbed their genitalia. Thanks US government and TSA oh… and the best part, we taxpayers paid for it all. great

    Report Post » StudyYourHistoryB  
  • FN-FEDUP
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:27am

    went thru 4 airports in one day with a 5in1 paint scrapper in my bag 100 times worse than a box cutter
    last airport caught it i pulled it out showed it to them they let me put it back in my bag and get on the flight…oh and i never took my belt off

    Report Post » FN-FEDUP  
  • Razlord
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:27am

    COPS Called to Stop Ron Paul From Winning Missouri Caucus – St Charles County
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh-1H58dXO8&feature=related

    GREAT BALLS OF FIRE! Return Of The FBI Patsy Underwear Bombs – Please, Please Be Scared LOL
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugBC77m-gdg&feature=related

    Report Post »  
  • momprayn
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:25am

    “They” are LAUGHING at us – how we willingly submit to this stuff – MUST READ:

    ” Obama admin…. planning a manufactured insurgency against America….(possible) indefinite postponement of elections… So far, he’s got the support of the majority of the DHS “brass” behind him, according to my source.

    ..whole purpose is to keep Obama in office for another term, no matter how unpopular he is, as he is not finished changing our country from a Constitutional Republic… according to my source: . “This is what we’ve been working toward and we’re closer now than we’ve ever been. If we lose now, we might not have another chance.”
    … common objective is the revolutionary overtaking of America….(They) are working closely with Bernanke, Geithner and others not to save our economy, but to outright destroy it. ..Do you actually think that .. Geithner’s father worked with Obama’s mother in Indonesia was coincidental?,” stated my source rhetorically. “What we’re seeing now is the fourth quarter of a game that started long ago, which also currently involves the Clintons…

    The “surreal” aspect of suspended elections won’t look so surreal when you see any or all of the “trigger points” take place in the not-so-distant future.”

    The end-game plan for America is its destruction as a Constitutional Republic, with the assistance of the agencies under the umbrella of the DHS.”

    http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/46516

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:23am

    We have long passed the point when any thinking person believes that the TSA is there to protect us. The TSA is an indoctrination tool of the Federal government. They have gotten the American public used to being violated in the name of safety and to taking orders from anyone associated with the government.

    The TSA is government dumbing down and enslaving the masses, nothing more and nothing less.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:12am

    We all got used to wearing shoes that were easy to take off, I guess we all go commando now.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • SLEUTH
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:25am

      imperfect scanner? even a perfect scanner could not detect a ‘underwear bomber’ if his penis was removed and replaced with a penis looking bomb. the TSA would pass him through.

      Report Post » SLEUTH  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:51am

      A penis bomb…lol. You really would have to love Allah wouldn’t you?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:06am

    Airport security is an illusion and the brown shirts at TSA can’t ensure safety,their job is to violate our fourth amendment right and to make flying as difficult as possible.When they’re going through our luggage they steal what they like,another perk of the job.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:02am

    Once again the excuse for thugery incorporated – the TSA is shown; get rid of the TSA completely and allow private security to be brought in and show how it really can be done better, cheaper and much more efficiently without the terrorization of the American people.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  

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