Backscatter body scanners – A strip search by other means

Backscatter body scanners have only recently been deployed at airports across the US and used as an optional alternative to patdowns – the open hand form of body search. This paper will essentially outline the statutory law and case-law of special relevance in the US to backscatter body scanners and determine the deficiencies and dilemmas of the legal framework with regards to protecting privacy and upholding the integrity of the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution. After that, guidelines to enhance the US legal framework will be proposed.