Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real TSO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) Procedures flashcards as text
When swabbing a carry-on bag for ETD analysis, which areas should a TSO focus on?
Answer: Interior and exterior surfaces, especially handles and frequently touched areas
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.
ETD machines analyze collected swab samples using which primary detection technology?
Answer: Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS)
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.
TSOs performing ETD screening must wear nitrile gloves primarily to:
Answer: Prevent their own skin residue from contaminating swab samples
Nitrile gloves prevent the TSO's own skin residue — which may include lotions, fertilizers, or other interfering substances — from contaminating ETD swab samples.
If an ETD machine displays a calibration or maintenance error during checkpoint operations, the TSO should:
Answer: Notify a supervisor and remove the machine from service per TSA SOPs
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.
A passenger selected for ETD screening refuses to comply. What should the TSO do?
Answer: Inform the passenger that refusal prevents boarding and notify a supervisor
Passengers who refuse required security screening cannot proceed to the boarding area, and the TSO must notify a supervisor to handle the escalated situation.
ETD positive alarm resolution procedures typically include which of the following?
Answer: Additional screening such as a pat-down and thorough bag search
Resolution screening after a positive ETD alarm typically involves additional measures such as a pat-down and thorough search of belongings to determine the source of the alarm.
When conducting ETD screening on a laptop computer, the TSO should primarily swab:
Answer: The keyboard and surfaces frequently touched by the user's hands
The keyboard and hand-contact surfaces of a laptop are the primary ETD swabbing areas because that is where residue from the user's hands is most likely to be transferred.