Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)

According to the Transport Security Administration (TSA), “Terrorist become increasingly interested in circumventing airport security screening by concealing improvised explosive devices inside commercial electronics, physical areas of the body, cargo, shoes/clothing, and cosmetics/liquids” (2015). Terrorists and suicide bombers use these improvised explosive devices (IED) to target the general public, airport facilities, and aircraft. The reason these individuals try to use this type of explosive is that since it is homemade, it can come in many forms, and it is harder to detect by airport security. Additionally, terrorists use IEDs because they can cause several adverse health effects, loss of life, as well as massive damage to structures and infrastructure.

IED attached to a cellphone. 

As previously mentioned, IEDs come in different forms, such as pipe bombs or sophisticated devices. However, the components of this type of explosive are the same. The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says the “ingredients” include, “an initiator, switch, main charge, power source, and a container.” and “additional materials or ‘enhancements’ such as nails, glass, or metal fragments designed to increase the amount of shrapnel propelled by the explosion. (2003). For instance, the power source could be hydrogen peroxide, fertilizers, and gunpowder.

Metal detectors.

Fortunately, airport security has implemented many screening layers to prevent terrorists bring IEDs inside security areas in the airport terminal as well as onboard the aircraft. As mention before, terrorists carry these explosives in checked bags, clothing, shoes, commercial electronics, and liquids. For that reason, TSA screens each passenger and checked bags. 

Checked bag screening.

Passengers have to go through a magnetometer, which will detect metals in cloth and adjacent to the body. If the magnetometer detects metals, security personnel will pat-down the passenger as far as the carry-on and personal items that are scanned on an x-ray machine. 

For the checked bags, those go through another x-ray machine, and sometimes random checks are performed. Another layer that security uses is the canine unit. Depending on the airport, this unit can be before the screening area or moving around the terminal or a combination of both.

Canine unit.

All the layers of security previously mention made airport security better than in the last century. Further, in the US, it has been more than ten years since the previous incident relating to IEDs. Although the system is not perfect, it is clear it has been effective. Currently, most online stores do not products that can be a source of power for IEDs, but third-party stores do. Products used for a power source can be more controlled by the federal or local government.

References:

Bloomberg. (2013, July). A Transportation Security Administration employee moves a checked piece of passenger luggage toward a scanning machine at a security check point at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved from https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/gettyimages-137370194.jpg?w=800&quality=85

Juste. C. (2018, November 21). Miami International Airport started using bomb-sniffing dogs to screen passengers at terminals with heavy traffic. Using the canines enables the Transportation Security Administration to move passengers up to 30 percent faster than normal. Retrieved from https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article222021750.html

MEDIAPRODUCTION. (n.d.). Metal Detector. 
Retrieved from https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GettyImages-182440070-e1582922201512.jpg

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Committee on Reducing the Threat of Improvised Explosive Device Attacks by Restricting Access to Chemical Explosive Precursors, & Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology. (2018). Reducing the threat of improvised explosive device attacks by restricting access to explosive precursor chemicals National Academies Press. doi:10.17226/24862

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). DHS Science and Technology Directorate Checked Baggage Program [Fact sheet]. 
Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Checked%20Baggage%20Fact%20Sheet%2014OCT16.pdf

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). DHS Science and Technology Directorate Pat-Down Accuracy Training Tool (PATT) [Fact sheet].
Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OPSR_PATT-170208-508.pdf

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). Explosives Detection Canines – Protecting the Homeland [Factsheet]. 
Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0807_st_updated-pbied-factsheet_508.pdf

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). IED Attack Improvised Explosive Devices [Factsheet]. 
Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/prep_ied_fact_sheet.pdf