There is one problem with your theory. If you get your way and she is completelty absolved for being "stupid" then terrorists will have the inside track by wearing something similar that was equally questionable (or supposively silly) and if stopped will shout charges of profiling. They will do this a few times until they are inoculated then they will go for the real thing.
What can be done is that this is THE LAST TIME! Any other idiot that doesn't have the common sense that this "brilliant student" should have had is out of luck. No exceptions. You don't wear anything that even could remotely resemble a bomb.
You know, terrorists can already disguise things to look like things that do not draw attention to themselves and are not a bomb, like cameras, suitcases, radios, laptop comutpers, etc. Should everyone who carries one of these items be charged with raising alarm and causing a panic because doing so makes it easier for a terrorist to carry on a concealed device.
Tell me why it is more of a security problem to have an object that has flashing lights, calling attention to the public, that is not a bomb disguised as not a bomb than it is to have some other object that is not a bomb not disguised as not a bomb?
First, it doesn't remotely resemble a bomb. The problem is that we had security officials at the airport who are supposed to know what is and what isn't a bomb, and the didn't know that. Don't you find that scary?
Second, as I said, your camera, PC, etc. all resemble what terrorists have used as bombs. So does a suitcase, a shoe, a bra, a tampon, etc.
Oh man, I love this theory. I am starting my list right now!
Since she didn't carry a "hoax device", if she pleads or is charged at this point there better be a good reason or reasonable people should conclude the swat team and the authorities are easily manipulated idiots.
Hysteria is not a probable cause.