Here in lies the problem. People who don't understand proper testing protocols won't blind their testing. And they'll subconsciously influence it to work. And if it doesn't work, they'll let someone else who is more "experienced" try it.
Testing is not the end of things though. Here in the US, TSA failed in DHS tests:
> In one case, an alarm sounded, but even during a pat-down, the screening officer failed to detect a fake plastic explosive taped to an undercover agent's back. In all, so-called "Red Teams" of Homeland Security agents posing as passengers were able get weapons past TSA agents in 67 out of 70 tests — a 95 percent failure rate, according to agency officials.
That is completely different. The TSA is there to make passengers feel safer. As long as you don't read news stories about their failures then it works.
The fake bomb detectors make people feel safer as well. It acts as a small deterrent as long as nobody knows it is bs.
We know that security through obscurity is a doomed idea in the long run. I am not trying to defend the purchases. I'm just trying to present a view of the lowly peon who has to operate this magic wand. They need people to believe this thing works.