US Marshals Service Update – Nothing from TSA Director

The US Marshals Service has released some information regarding the storing of “body scanner” images at a courthouse location in the US. The machine is storing images of all individuals entering the building, while court house officers are only able to access the 3 last scans.

While the USMS is being very upfront about the issue, even providing a link where those interested can see for themselves what kind of images the Gen2 passive millimeter wave scanner (“body scanner”) produces, the TSAis being secretive and as usual very unhelpful – to themselves as well as the public.

Director Pistole is trying to answer some of the questions surrounding the 3-1-1 liquids ban and/or restrictions, but is not doing a very good job of it. Most questions are left unanswered, and as some commenters have remarked, most of Pistole’s answers have been heard and debunked before. It is sad that an agency that is doing an important job for security is being hammered like this, but in many ways they have themselves to blame.

Openness and speaking the truth has never hurt security, and the revelation of plots and plans (get it?) will only make the TSA’s job easier and more efficient. That is something they have yet to understand.