Sky Harbor Airport Adds Black Lights, Magnifying Glasses to Security

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says that a pilot program at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) designed to boost security through the use of trained TSA inspectors at checkpoints rather than airline contract workers has been a success and will be replicated at airports nationwide.

According to TSA spokesman Nico Melendez, the TSA inspectors are better at spotting fake identification documents and receive updated government watch lists before each shift. The inspectors are using magnifying glasses and black lights to find fake passports and driver’s licenses.

PHX has further enhanced security through the addition of backscatter scanning machines that serve as an alternative to pat-downs for travelers setting off alarms when walking through metal detectors.

TSA says it will test more backscatters, as well as millimeter wave imaging technology, at PHX, Los Angeles International, and John F. Kennedy International.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) from the East Valley Tribune (AZ); 08/21/07; Hogan, Donna.