A laser-based molecular scanner may soon be deployed at border crossings and airports that will be able to detect drug and gun powder residue on clothes and even penetrate inside the body, the website
Gizmodo reports.
The scanner, which can operate at distances of over 50 yards, could be ready within the next two years, according to the undersecretary for science and technology of the Department of Homeland Security, the website reported.
“Their plan is to install this molecular-level scanning in airports and border crossings all across the United States. The official, stated goal of this arrangement is to be able to quickly identify explosives, dangerous chemicals, or bioweapons at a distance,” Gizmodo reported.
“The machine is ten million times faster — and one million times more sensitive — than any currently available system. That means that it can be used systematically on everyone passing through airport security, not just suspect or randomly sampled people.”
While the technology is not new, the speed and portability of the device is, raising the prospect that the device could be used by police or other government agencies in a variety of locations in the future.
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.