A model of a human skull caused a temporary scare at Salt Lake City International Airport on September 18.
While screening passengers' bags, TSA agents saw what looked like a human skull stuffed with ‘unidentifiable components’ that appeared similar to an explosive device, according to KSL News. Salt Lake City police were called and arrived on the scene with a bomb-sniffing dog and explosives expert to investigate. Security at the airport was shut down for 2 hours while they inspected the item. Suture Practice Pad
The item turned out to be a medical training device used by surgeons to demonstrate the process of a lobotomy. The passenger it belonged to told TSA agents that they were taking it to a trade show in Cancún, Mexico. The agents refused to let the passenger take the skull on the flight and instead arranged for them to pick it up when they returned.
A TSA spokesperson told Insider that anyone traveling with a ‘highly unusual item’ should tell agents in advance to 'avoid potential suspension.’
Suture Practice 'This incident and subsequent response is an example of how TSA must take every potential security threat seriously while making sure that the transportation system is not put at risk,' the spokesperson said.