Book Description

" TSA accelerated the deployment of AIT systems, or full-body scanners, in response to the December 25, 2009, attempted terrorist attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253. Pursuant to the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, TSA was mandated to ensure that AIT systems were equipped with ATR software, which displays generic outlines of passengers rather than actual images, by June 1, 2013. All deployed AIT systems were equipped with ATR software by the deadline. GAO was asked to evaluate TSA's AIT-ATR systems' effectiveness. This report addresses the extent to which (1) TSA collects and analyzes available information that could be used to enhance the effectiveness of the AIT-ATR system and (2) TSA has made progress toward enhancing AIT capabilities to detect concealed explosives and other threat items, and any challenges that remain. GAO analyzed testing results conducted by the Transportation Security Laboratory and TSA personnel at airports and interviewed DHS and TSA officials. This is a public version of a classified report that GAO issued in December 2013. Information DHS and TSA deemed classified or sensitive has been omitted, including information and recommendations related to improving AIT capabilities. "