New 3-D scanner tested at Oakland International Airport security checkpoints

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- We're getting our first close-up look at a new scanner being tested at security checkpoints at the Oakland International Airport. The device uses 3-D technology.

It shoots a bag from different angles so screeners can see it from 360 degrees. That's a lot different from the two images seen in the typical X-ray machine.

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"We can zoom in on the item. We can look all around it, change its orientation. We can change a lot of things about the item in question, as well as all the other items in the bags," explained Adrienne Marquez of the Transportation Security Administration.

"This is the same technology that we use currently in our checked baggage environment," explained TSA Federal Security Director David Von Damm. "Industry has been able provide us machines that are smaller, they fit in the checkpoint environment, so that's why we're doing the field testing now."

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The technology is similar to CT technology used in the medical field. Oakland is one of 15 airports nationwide testing the new checkpoint scanner.