Four-sided imaging system and method for detection of contraband

An X-ray scanning system configured to inspect an object moving along a direction of travel through an inspection area, the X-ray scanning system comprising:

• a first vertical side and a first top horizontal side positioned orthogonal to the first vertical side, wherein the first vertical side and the first top horizontal side define a first plane within the inspection area;
• a first X-ray source configured to generate first X-rays, wherein the first X-ray source is positioned proximate the first vertical side and proximate the first top horizontal side and is configured to generate the first X-rays from the first vertical side and the first top horizontal side into the inspection area and toward the object moving through the inspection area;
• a first set of backscatter detectors disposed at least partially within the first plane and configured to receive the first X-rays scattered from the object as it travels through the inspection area;
• a second vertical side and a second top horizontal side positioned orthogonal to the second vertical side, wherein the second vertical side and the second top horizontal side define a second plane within the inspection area, wherein the first plane and the second plane define a distance along the direction of travel;
• a second X-ray source configured to generate second X-rays, wherein the second X-ray source is positioned proximate the second vertical side and proximate the second top horizontal side and configured to generate the second X-rays from the second vertical side and the second top horizontal side into the inspection area and toward the object moving through the inspection area;
• a second set of backscatter detectors disposed at least partially within the second plane and configured to receive the second X-rays scattered from the object as it moves through the inspection area;
• a third X-ray source positioned within a horizontal base along the direction of travel and configured to generate third X-rays into the inspection area and toward the object;
• a third set of backscatter detectors positioned within the horizontal base and configured to receive the third X-rays scattered from the object as it travels through the inspection area, wherein an operation of the first X-ray source and the second X-ray source are synchronized;
• and
• a controller configured to execute programmatic instructions that, when executed, receive data from the first set of backscatter detectors, receive data from the second set of backscatter detectors, receive data from the third set of backscatter detectors and generate one or more images.