See-Thru

No, this is not about our beloved Idle Eyes, this is about a sweet new technology that can detect weapons, drugs or explosives hidden under people's clothes from up to 25 meters away.

The T5000 camera uses what it calls "passive imaging technology" to identify objects by the natural electromagnetic rays -- known as Terahertz or T-rays -- that they emit. Depending on the material, the signature of the wave is different, so that explosives can be distinguished from a block of clay and cocaine is different from a bag of flour. God, I wish I had that before I made that Columbian deal! The high-powered camera can detect hidden objects from up to 80 feet away and is effective even when people are moving. It does not reveal physical body details and the screening is harmless, the company that makes it says.

The technology, which has military and civilian applications and could be used in crowded airports, shopping malls or sporting events, will be unveiled this week at a scientific development exhibition sponsored by Britain's Home Office. While the technology may enhance detection, it also increases concerns that Britain is becoming a surveillance society, with hundreds of thousands of closed-circuit television cameras already monitoring people countrywide every day. Whatever. The cops over there don't even carry guns. Let them have as many cameras as they want.