Abstract: The present invention teaches a shovel having a scoop with a bottom perforated by apertures and a movable sifting plate held in one of a plurality of possible positions by means of a retainer plate. The sifting plate may have apertures which do not overlap the apertures of the scoop in a first position, thus keeping the bottom of the shovel scoop closed for use as a shovel. In a second position, the sifting plate apertures may overlap the apertures of the scoop bottom so as to provide a degree of sifting ability. Either set of apertures may have a screen thereacross. The retaining plate may be biased by a spring so as to hold the sifting plate in position.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning carriers for objects include the capability to sense a radioactive object in the detection proximity of a platform and form a signal indicative thereof and to determine whether an illicit radioactive object may be in the detection proximity. The system and method also include the capability to sense a metallic object in the detection proximity of the platform and form a signal indicative thereof and to determine whether an illicit metallic object may be in the detection proximity.