TSO Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) Procedures 2

Question 1

When swabbing a carry-on bag for ETD analysis, which areas should a TSO focus on?

Accepted Answer

Interior and exterior surfaces, especially handles and frequently touched areas

Answer

ETD swabbing of bags should cover both interior and exterior surfaces, focusing on handles and frequently touched areas where residue is most likely to accumulate.

Question 2

ETD machines analyze collected swab samples using which primary detection technology?

Accepted Answer

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS)

Answer

Most ETD equipment used by TSA employs ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), which identifies explosive compounds by analyzing the mobility of ionized particles from the swab sample.

Question 3

TSOs performing ETD screening must wear nitrile gloves primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent their own skin residue from contaminating swab samples

Answer

Nitrile gloves prevent the TSO's own skin residue — which may include lotions, fertilizers, or other interfering substances — from contaminating ETD swab samples.

Question 4

If an ETD machine displays a calibration or maintenance error during checkpoint operations, the TSO should:

Accepted Answer

Notify a supervisor and remove the machine from service per TSA SOPs

Answer

Equipment malfunctions must be reported to a supervisor and the machine taken out of service per TSA SOPs to preserve the integrity and accuracy of security screening.

Question 5

A passenger selected for ETD screening refuses to comply. What should the TSO do?

Accepted Answer

Inform the passenger that refusal prevents boarding and notify a supervisor

Answer

Passengers who refuse required security screening cannot proceed to the boarding area, and the TSO must notify a supervisor to handle the escalated situation.

(TSO) Transportation Security Officer Certification Practice Test

(TSO) Transportation Security Officer Certification Practice Test

TSO Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) Procedures 2