Lori Hickey

The Edinburgh airport, located on Scotland’s east coast, was forced to close yesterday because of a suspicious package detected during routine security screening. According to reports, a piece of suspicious carry-on luggage was discovered utilizing both X-ray screening machines and explosive detection equipment.

The incident resulted in the evacuation of the airport and the re-directing of all inbound flights. The delays stretched until early evening. After an in-depth investigation, security officials determined that the suspicious luggage posed no threat to the airport or the individuals traveling through it. 

The MSA Research and Intelligence Analysis (RIA) Group has been monitoring this situation, and has identified the following key points:

      • Unconfirmed reports indicated that traces of an explosive material were discovered on a passenger and his luggage.
         
      • The security personnel used both X-ray screening techniques and explosive detection equipment to discover the potential threat. 
         
      • Although the item in question was determined to pose no threat, the airport’s security measures operated as designed and brought a potential threat to the attention of the appropriate personnel. 
         
      • The discovery of the suspicious device and unconfirmed reports of trace explosive material may act as a deterrent to any future attacks or smuggling attempts through the airport.
         
      • The individual responsible for the incident was not charged with any crimes. 
         
      • The use of multiple screening techniques proved effective in the discovery of the suspicious package. 
         
      • Screening processes can be enhanced and supplemented with the use of redundant measures. 
         
      • These redundant measures include explosive material detection equipment, explosive detection canines, and physical inspections conducted by properly trained security personnel.

SmartTech™ eliminates the need for unnecessary evacuations and shutdowns. SmartTech™ is a DHS SAFETY Act certified technology developed by MSA. It utilizes a proprietary high speed video and VoIP configuration to instantly transmit suspect images from X-ray machines anywhere in the world to the MSA Emergency Operations Center in New York City for real-time analysis by our bomb technicians. SmartTech™ can be used with any X-ray machine, and gives screeners immediate, real-time access to highly experienced MSA Bomb Technicians for analysis and consultation. 

 

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