Is the airport safe? Four-legged enemies of drugs, “Yantar” and millimeter scanning

Every millimeter will be scanned

Representatives of Domodedovo Airport told Lenta.ru that the first passenger inspection point is located at the entrance. In particular, profilers are constantly on duty at the airport. These are specialists who can, based on external signs, identify passengers in a crowd who are prone to aggression and committing a terrorist attack. For example, inappropriate behavior or strange clothing may arouse suspicion. Profilers work at security checkpoints and near airline counters.

According to the head of the airside control department at Domodedovo Airport, Anatoly Moiseev, the same applies, for example, at the Israeli Ben-Gurion Airport. “But the decision to detain is made only by law enforcement officers,” he clarified.

Technology helps people. There are more than three thousand cameras installed at the airport. And in addition to metal detectors, passengers are also checked using a millimeter scanning system. “It works on millimeter radio waves and allows you to see any objects on the human body - metal, glass, ceramics, wood,” Moiseev explained.

Search of a passenger at Yemelyanovo airport in Krasnoyarsk

Photo: Ilya Naimushin / Reuters

Main characteristics of modifications of the Yantar system

Solving the first problem in the interests of customs control makes it possible to evaluate the quantitative characteristics of fissile materials and radioactive substances transported across the border, if their radionuclide composition has been established.
Solving the second problem makes it possible to organize the detection of radioactive objects. Based on measurements of the flux density of ionizing particles (quanta) and changes in activity over time, it is possible to determine the decay constant and establish the type of radionuclide (if the half-life is short). If the type of radionuclide and its activity at a given point in time are known (for example, passport activity), then based on radiometric measurement data it is possible to determine the age of the source or the time that has passed since its manufacture.

Characteristic features of radiometric measurements are:

— statistical nature of the measurement object and the process of recording radiation;

— influence on the measurement results of external radioactive background.

Due to these features, individual measurement results may vary significantly. The reasons for the ambiguity of measurements are quite objective. The fact is that activity is probabilistic due to the nature of radioactive decay. In addition, the flow of particles and quanta that make up the natural radiation background and affect the measuring device is also probabilistic in nature and subject to unpredictable fluctuations. The level of background radiation depends on the composition of the soil and surrounding buildings, air pollution with radionuclides, the flow of quanta of cosmic origin, etc. Therefore, radiometers usually make multiple measurements, and the result is formed through appropriate statistical processing.

Customs authorities do not use “pure” radiometers in operational work. Typically, combined devices are used in this capacity.

The main task of spectrometric measurements is to determine the spectra of ionizing particles (quanta).

The spectrum is a set of possible values ​​of the measured physical quantity. The task of spectrometry actually comes down to finding the distribution of particles and/or radiation quanta according to one or several parameters, for example, energy, charge, mass, etc. Accordingly, spectrometers are divided into several types:

— energy (to measure energy distribution),

— mass spectrometers (for measuring mass distribution),

— charge (for measuring charge distribution),

— angular (for measuring spatio-temporal distribution characteristics), etc.

To solve problems of radiometry and spectrometry, customs authorities use instruments that measure energy distribution: SKS-50, GAMMA-1C/NB, RSU-01 “Signal”, MKS-A02. Essentially these are combined devices.

Based on the energy characteristics, the radionuclide composition of radioactive radiation sources can be determined. During customs control, this makes it possible to establish the type of fissile materials or other radioactive substances transported across the customs border. According to spectrometric measurements, it is possible to evaluate the activity of a radionuclide and the associated characteristics of the source of ionizing radiation, i.e., as with radiometric measurements, it is possible to quantify the detected radioactive substances and the relationships between the individual components of the mixture. Finally, spectrometric measurements are indispensable when solving security problems, as they make it possible to determine the distribution of radionuclides in the territory, in individual organs and tissues of a person.

An example of a device for radiometric and spectrometric measurements is the RSU-01 “Signal”, with which you can measure the equivalent dose rate (dosimeter), particle flux density (radiometer), and the spectrum of g-quanta (spectrometer). Similar problems can be solved using the more modern MKS-A02 device (Fig. 8.39).

The MKS-A02 universal radiometer-spectrometer is designed to detect and localize radioactive sources, measure the quantitative characteristics of a-, b-, g- and neutron radiation, identify g-emitting radionuclides, store measured g-spectra for their possible processing on a computer (types of recorded radiation for various modifications of the device are given in Table 8.7). It has a built-in scintillation g-radiation detector based on NaI (Tl), two neutron detectors, and an external a- and b-radiation detector “BDS-AB1”.

The scintillation detector is made on the basis of a NaI (Tl) crystal with a diameter of 34 mm and a length of 47 mm. Neutron detectors are made in the form of tubes with He3 gas under a pressure of 8 atmospheres, placed in a polyethylene moderator. The detectors operate in proportional mode.

Using the amplitude of the scintillation detector pulses, alpha and beta particles can be distinguished and particle flux densities can then be calculated.

The device operates in two main modes: “operational” and “expert”.

In the “online” mode, the device is controlled using three buttons that call the main functions of the device: “Search”, “Dosimeter” and “Analysis”.

Rice. 8.39. Combined device MKS-A02

In the “expert” mode, the device is controlled using the keyboard. At the same time, there is access to additional functions of the device, the ability to configure and calibrate.

The radiometer-spectrometer performs four main functions: a search instrument, a dosimeter, a radiometer and a spectrometer. As a search instrument, it records the excess of the total count rate in the gamma and neutron channels over the corresponding background values. The excess is shown on the liquid crystal display and confirmed by an LED indicator and an audible signal.

Table 8.7

Radiation won't work

Baggage and passengers are searched not only for weapons and drugs. Radiation will not pass either. For this purpose, the Yantar system has been installed in the customs control zone, which detects fissile and radioactive materials.

The head of the customs control department for fissile and radioactive substances at Domodedovo customs, Vadim Zakharenko, told Lenta.ru that such installations are located throughout the area of ​​the airport controlled by Domodedovo customs. Passengers and luggage from all flights are checked. “If the natural background level exceeds 20 percent, then we can already assume that there is a radioactive source,” Zakharenko added.

Customs officers periodically identify violators. For example, a Vietnamese citizen who flew in from Hanoi was detained. "Yantar" was activated when the passenger passed through the green corridor.

During a customs inspection of luggage, a cardboard box wrapped in aluminum foil was found. The box contained a pack of cigarettes, the radiation level of which was 1254 times higher than the natural background.

Once, from the luggage of a flight attendant of a large foreign airline, customs officers seized a deck of playing cards with radiation 666 times higher than the natural background. The flight attendant stated that these were not her cards and that she was carrying them at the request of her friend.

Representatives of the Domodedovo customs explained to Lenta.ru that a passenger transporting objects contaminated with radiation does not bear any responsibility before the law and is released after seizure. The radiation source itself is sent for examination, then to a dangerous goods warehouse. After completing all necessary procedures, the radioactive object is destroyed.

“Yantar” also reacts to people who have undergone chemotherapy treatment. These people are walking radioactive sources. Their number has increased over the past two years. Every day about ten such people pass through our airport. They also search for their personal belongings in their luggage,” Zakharenko said.

Types of radiation monitoring systems "Yantar"

RADIATION MONITOR YANTAR-1SN

APPLICATION

• Temporary storage warehouses, customs warehouses
• Nuclear power plants
• Plants for the extraction, storage and processing of nuclear materials
• Military nuclear installations and storage facilities

Detection threshold, no more:

Note: Pu is a sample from weapons-grade plutonium, U is a sample from weapons-grade uranium U-235

The detection thresholds for radioactive and nuclear materials are given at a detection probability of 0.5 at a confidence level of 95%, a background intensity of no more than 20 μR/h, a false alarm rate of no more than 1/1000, parameters of the control zone and object speed indicated in the table

To input/output information, the monitor is equipped with a computer interface board (USC) or a PVTs-01 remote control

RADIATION MONITOR YANTAR-2SN

APPLICATION

• Temporary storage warehouses, customs warehouses
• Nuclear power plants
• Plants for the extraction, storage and processing of nuclear materials
• Military nuclear installations and storage facilities

Detection threshold, no more:

Note: Pu is a sample from weapons-grade plutonium, U is a sample from weapons-grade uranium U-235

The detection thresholds for radioactive and nuclear materials are given at a detection probability of 0.5 at a confidence level of 95%, a background intensity of no more than 20 μR/h, a false alarm rate of no more than 1/1000, parameters of the control zone and object speed indicated in the table

To input/output information, the monitor is equipped with a computer interface board (USC) or a PVTs-01 remote control

RADIATION MONITOR YANTAR-2L

APPLICATION

• Metallurgical and waste processing plants
• Nuclear power plants
• Plants for the extraction, storage and processing of nuclear materials
• Military nuclear installations and storage facilities

Detection threshold, no more:

Note: Pu is a sample from weapons-grade plutonium, U is a sample from weapons-grade uranium U-235

The detection thresholds for radioactive and nuclear materials are given at a detection probability of 0.5 at a confidence level of 95%, a background intensity of no more than 20 µR/h, a false alarm rate of no more than 1/1000, parameters of the control zone and object speed specified in the table For input output information, the monitor is equipped with a computer interface board (USC) or a PVTs-01 remote control

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You can't fool dogs

But the capabilities of even the most modern technology are limited. X-ray machines, which perfectly distinguish the smallest differences in density and easily see, for example, a pistol or knife in a passenger’s luggage, are not able to determine what substance a passenger is carrying in a particular container. But the metal detector does not recognize explosives. And then dogs come to the rescue.

There are two canine services in Domodedovo. One relates to customs, the other to the aviation security service of the airport itself.

Customs dogs look for drugs, large wads of banknotes and products of animal origin (for example, hides, horns).

According to the deputy head of the canine department of Domodedovo customs Alla Kuzub, the dog recognizes six types of narcotic drugs. “Depending on the drug, she gives a certain signal: she can start walking around the suitcase, scratching it, whining, trying to bite it. So she tries to get the toy,” said Kuzub.

Baggage inspection in the customs control area of ​​Koltsovo airport in Yekaterinburg

Photo: Donat Sorokin / TASS

Dogs, through training, become accustomed to the fact that their favorite toys smell like a type of drug. All work for animals comes down to play. “The dog must be rewarded,” Kuzub explained. — At the end of the inspected flight there is training baggage, in which a simulator of the smell of a narcotic drug is placed. The dog finds him, gets the desired toy, and the owner plays with it. This is a must. The dog must remain interested in examining the luggage.”

For customs, they choose non-vicious dogs that love to play since childhood, as well as good fetchers (handing over an abandoned object) and those interested in a long search. German and Belgian shepherds, Labradors, and retrievers work at Domodedovo. There is also a special small dog trained to search for drugs in hand luggage - a border collie.

If the dog finds something suspicious and gives a pre-arranged signal, the dog handler removes the suitcase from the moving belt and the dog sniffs it again. After this, the luggage is issued, but a specialist is already monitoring it and the passenger. When leaving the customs control zone through the green corridor, the suspect is stopped and asked to present his luggage for inspection.

Alla Kuzub added that their animals are very disciplined and will never tear apart a suitcase if they smell food there. “They will just lick their lips and continue working,” says the dog handler.

The Domodedovo customs told Lenta.ru that there are many ways to mask the smell of drugs. The most popular is the transportation of prohibited substances in coffee packages. However, almost all attempts of criminals fail.