Citation

Mitchener-Nissen T, Bowers K, Chetty K. Secur. J. 2012; 25(3): 229-243.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group -- Palgrave-Macmillan)

DOI

10.1057/sj.2011.20

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study engages with the public to identify and assess methods for improving the operation of whole body security scanners within UK airports. We examine the reasons why individuals prefer either body scans or pat-downs. We also measure the effects of presenting passengers unbiased information about scanners at the screening checkpoint. Our key findings are as follows. There was high public acceptance of body scanners (>90 per cent) and a strong preference for them over pat-downs (>80 per cent) with scanners perceived as less intrusive than pat-downs and a quicker option. Presenting passengers with information on backscatter X-ray scanners resulted in significant positive increases in their overall favourability towards this technology and its current operation. Our models also show that presenting information about scanners combined with undertaking a scan results in the greatest probability a passenger will voluntarily opt for a scan. This has implications for airport security, which we discuss.

Keywords: airport; aviation; security; scanner; opinion

Language: en