British Security Camera "Sees" Under Clothes

The British company Thruvision has announced the T5000 Security Imaging System, a camera that can "see" under clothes using what the company calls "passive imaging technology" to identify objects by the natural electromagnetic rays that they emit.

This radiation is known as Terahertz radiation or T-rays. T-rays are a form of low level energy naturally emitted from all materials, even animals and people. T-rays lie somewhere between infrared and microwaves on the electromagnetic spectrum and can pass through many solid materials including clothing, and in some cases, even walls.

The high-powered camera can detect hidden objects from up to 25 meters away. It's effective even if people are moving and - important for privacy advocates - it does not reveal physical body details. The company says the screening is harmless.

In Thruvision's press release (.PDF), Clive Beattie, ThruVision’s CEO said:

"Acts of terrorism have shaken the world in recent years and security precautions have been tightened globally. The T5000 dramatically extends the security surveillance envelope for ThruVision’s passive body scanning products used at important sites and events. The ability to see both metallic and non-metallic items on people out to 25m is certainly a key capability that will enhance any comprehensive security system deployment."

The company will display the T5000 at the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) Exhibition on 12 & 13 March 2008 (Booth # E6 and C44) at RAF Halton, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK.

Since we know that London already has a network of cameras monitoring the city (and I've seen some pretty juicy stuff on Most Shocking), it begs the question of whether a city would put these cameras in place to check for drugs, etc., and if that would be a violation of privacy. We may find out sometime in the future.