Scanner A scanner was a hand - held sensory device . The word " scanner " was a generic term for such technology . Scanners were common during the mid - 22nd century and used by a variety of space - faring cultures and institutions such as Starfleet , the Earth Sciences Institute , Ferengi privateer s , the Suliban Cabal , and the Vulcan High Command . Starfleet . 22nd century . Hand scanner . Sometimes referred to as a hand scanner , the Starfleet scanner was common during the 2150s . Distinguished by a square - shaped body lined with black grips , this scanner featured a display and interface that could be closed , making the device more compact for storage . ( ) Capable of performing general sensory functions such as generating floor plan views , and locating bio - signs , these scanners were also equipped with quantum dating technology , yielding at least generally accurate results . ( ) Under certain circumstances , the scanner could be converted into a communications device , even transmitting through time , from the 31st to the 22nd century . ( ) These devices were also capable of interfacing with and potentially overriding vastly different computer systems . Sent back to the 21st century , Starfleet Captain Jonathan Archer successfully tampered with a 2004 ATM and overrode the automatic locking mechanism of a Dodge Ram truck . ( ) The hand scanner could also be used to deactivate explosive devices , though with varying results . ( ) Despite its versatility , the hand scanner was , at times , somewhat inaccurate . It sometimes could not separate Human ( or even humanoid ) bio - signs from that of other species . It was also susceptible to certain forms of temporal interference . ( ) When it did locate life sign s , they were generally displayed as a blinking , red indicator . ( ) The internal circuitry of the hand scanner could be accessed by removing both the back panel of the body , and by removing the interface viewer portion . ( ) In 2153 , Sim disassembled a hand scanner in the mess hall aboard . ( ) Medical scanner . Also in stock aboard Starfleet vessels such as the , a small medical scanner was available during the 2150s . This palm - sized scanner was distinguished by a large , blue - glowing display screen and interface , with two rows of blue - glowing lights opposite . The medical scanner was able to perform simple diagnostic functions , such as reading vital signs and internal scans . It could also be used much like the Starfleet hand scanner , used to scan a specific area for general bio - signs . The medical scanner ' s range was generally close , though it could get accurate scans from the distance of a few feet . ( ) In 2152 , Doctor Phlox used a medical scanner to confirm that the Takret anatomy was immune to radiolytic isotope s . ( ) Heavy scanner . Larger in size than either the hand or medical scanners , a heavy - duty model was also available aboard Earth starships during the 2150s . Characterized by a thick , rectangular body held horizontally , this scanner also featured a metallic handle to the left of a rectangular display screen and control buttons . It could be used to view graphic representations of the inside of devices such as a Romulan mine that struck the NX - 01 in 2152 . ( ) 23rd century . Heavy scanner . Another version of a heavy scanning device was a large hand - held device , used for quick scans , was trigger activated device had a defined white sensor cap , red barrel , and dark grey read with display and adjustment knobs . Montgomery Scott kept such a device in the transporter room of the during the 2260s . He used it on to determine the properties of an unknown soft ore s found on his uniform . With the device , he was able to determine that the ore had magnetic properties recommended that the uniform be decontaminated . ( ) Earth Sciences Institute . Scanner . Available to members of the Earth Sciences Institute , including researcher s of the A - 6 excavation team during the 2150s , was a small , angular scanner . Dominated by a large , rectangular , green - glowing display screen , this scanner included a long , irregularly shaped input area with a number of button controls . The device could be used to identify technology buried beneath snow and could differentiate organic matter from inorganic matter . Researcher successfully identified a warp coil buried in a debris field at the Arctic Circle with the scanner , though the object was actually a Borg transwarp coil . ( ) Medical scanner . Also utilized by the ESI and A - 6 excavation team was a large , oval - shaped device used for medical scans . Distinguished by a small , circular readout and several circular buttons lining the periphery of the device , this scanner could detect , among other things , changes in bio - functions . Ferengi . A small , brown , angular scanning device was utilized by citizens of the Ferengi Alliance or Ferengi privateers as early as 2151 . Characterized by a large , green , illuminated interface and display , this Ferengi scanner was capable of scanning through bulkhead s and was key in the search for loot . ( ) Hirogen . A small , metallic - orange device was used as a scanner by the Hirogen . In 2374 , the Alpha - Hirogen Idrin used this scanner on Seven of Nine to conclude about her verly long intestine s . ( ) Malurian . The Malurian scanner had a metallic ring surrounding an inner Malurian control surface , with green and yellow blinking lights on the outer ring . It could be used to scan DNA and to signal for a beam - up to a Malurian starship . ( ) Osaarian . The Osaarian scanner was a somewhat bulky device with a blue - colored screen on top . In 2153 , Orgoth lifted one of these scanners onto a side station in " Enterprise " s engineering and tried to use it in an attempt to download " Enterprise " s database . ( ) Suliban Cabal . Also similar in design and shape to the Vulcan scanner , the hand - held sensing device utilized by members of the Suliban Cabal featured a rounded interface area , with an extended handle . Mottled - brown in color , this scanner also featured a purple readout . Presumably along with a handful of other functions , the Suliban scanner was capable of locating an individual ' s distinct bio - signs and could detect temporal signatures . ( ) Vulcan High Command . 20th century . Used by officers in service of the Vulcan High Command as early as 1957 , the standard scanner used by Vulcan s was a chrome - colored , dome - shaped device with a handle . The device featured a purple - colored , lighted display screen and could be used to scan for life signs . ( ) 22nd century . Standard scanner . Similar in shape and design as its 20th century counterpart , the scanner used by the Vulcans during the 2150s was also a dome - shaped sensor , with a triangular handle . This device , however , was distinguished by a silver - colored readout portion and a blue handle , with black grips . The viewer itself displayed readings in Vulcan script with a generally purple - color glow . The grip featured an array of button controls . ( ) The Vulcan scanner possessed a maximum scanning radius of three kilometer s and performed the same general function as the Earth Starfleet hand scanner . Vulcan sensors , however , were commonly known to be superior during that time . ( ) Medical scanner . As early as 2153 , Vulcans doctors in the service of the High Command were equipped with distinct medical scanners . Featuring a similarly dome - shaped readout section , this scanner also featured a dome - shaped lower , control portion . It was also distinguished by yellow indicator lights on each side of the display screen . It was used to scan for certain types of radiation and could , possibly , perform detailed brain scans . ( ) Xindi . A dark - colored type of Xindi scanner was used on a Xindi - Arboreal colony during the 22nd century . In 2153 , Xindi - Arboreal technician Gralik Durr used a Xindi scanner to determine that a particular fragment of metal lic debris was from the Xindi probe . ( ) Scanner on Rigel X . One type of scanner was used by the leader of a gang of aliens on Rigel X , upon examining a fake Tenebian amethyst that Shran and T ' Pol had brought him in an effort to convince the aliens it was a real Tenebian amethyst . This alien scanner was a relatively narrow device and had a green light at its scanning head . ( )