A security checkpoint screening system comprising: a. a checkpoint screening station (12, 14, 16, 100, 1200) having: i. a pre-scan area and at least two post-scan areas (1206 1208), the at least two post scan areas including an item collection area and an area for dispatch to secondary screening; ii. a switching area to direct items to different post-scan areas of the at least two post-scan areas; iii. a conveyor system including mechanical switches in the switching area of the checkpoint screening station for controlling a displacement of the items through the security checkpoint screening system, wherein the conveyor system includes respective conveyor sections in the item collection area and in the area for dispatch to secondary screening; iv. a divider wall to isolate a portion of the conveyor system to prevent passengers from accessing items being displaced by the conveyor system until the items require no further inspection and have reached the item collection area; b. a processing module programmed with software for: i. receiving image data conveying images of the items derived by scanning the items with penetrating radiation; ii. assigning threat level indicators to items associated with the images conveyed by the image data at least in part by processing threat assessment information provided by a human operator at a remote screening station located remotely from the checkpoint screening station; c. a control device programmed for electronically controlling a displacement of the items through the security checkpoint screening system by using the assigned threat level indicators to control the mechanical switch of the conveyor system in the switching area of the checkpoint screening station so that corresponding items are directed to a proper one of the at least two post-scan areas. a. a checkpoint screening station (12, 14, 16, 100, 1200) having: i. a pre-scan area and at least two post-scan areas (1206 1208), the at least two post scan areas including an item collection area and an area for dispatch to secondary screening; ii. a switching area to direct items to different post-scan areas of the at least two post-scan areas; iii. a conveyor system including mechanical switches in the switching area of the checkpoint screening station for controlling a displacement of the items through the security checkpoint screening system, wherein the conveyor system includes respective conveyor sections in the item collection area and in the area for dispatch to secondary screening; iv. a divider wall to isolate a portion of the conveyor system to prevent passengers from accessing items being displaced by the conveyor system until the items require no further inspection and have reached the item collection area; i. a pre-scan area and at least two post-scan areas (1206 1208), the at least two post scan areas including an item collection area and an area for dispatch to secondary screening; ii. a switching area to direct items to different post-scan areas of the at least two post-scan areas; iii. a conveyor system including mechanical switches in the switching area of the checkpoint screening station for controlling a displacement of the items through the security checkpoint screening system, wherein the conveyor system includes respective conveyor sections in the item collection area and in the area for dispatch to secondary screening; iv. a divider wall to isolate a portion of the conveyor system to prevent passengers from accessing items being displaced by the conveyor system until the items require no further inspection and have reached the item collection area; b. a processing module programmed with software for: i. receiving image data conveying images of the items derived by scanning the items with penetrating radiation; ii. assigning threat level indicators to items associated with the images conveyed by the image data at least in part by processing threat assessment information provided by a human operator at a remote screening station located remotely from the checkpoint screening station; i. receiving image data conveying images of the items derived by scanning the items with penetrating radiation; ii. assigning threat level indicators to items associated with the images conveyed by the image data at least in part by processing threat assessment information provided by a human operator at a remote screening station located remotely from the checkpoint screening station; c. a control device programmed for electronically controlling a displacement of the items through the security checkpoint screening system by using the assigned threat level indicators to control the mechanical switch of the conveyor system in the switching area of the checkpoint screening station so that corresponding items are directed to a proper one of the at least two post-scan areas.