- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Comments (34)
Print
Save/Share
We've blogged in the past about pre-screening passengers by filtering info from law enforcement databases, collecting "biometric data" with iris scans and other tests, and making passengers walk through whole-body scanners instead of mere metal detectors. Here are a few technologies that could help spot potential terrorists before it's too late, similar to the systems for detecting "pre-crimes" used in the Tom Cruise movie "Minority Report."
ROBOTIC MIND READING Under this system being tested in Israel, passengers would be shown photographs of known terrorists and studied for how they react. Passengers with guilty consciences or a touch of paranoia may react to the stress physically. Infrared cameras would measure jumps in a traveler's heart rate and breathing rate. If the passenger's vital signs reveal hidden nervousness, the passenger may be questioned further by officers.
POP QUIZ STRESS TEST Imagine you're approaching the airport security gate. You step up to a machine and put your passport on a scanner and rest the palm of your hand on a sensor. Then you answer a series of written questions that are flashed on a screen (or are spoken to you in audio mode, if you prefer). A machine measures your body's reactions during this question-and-answer session. Are you acting suspicious? You'll be pulled aside for further questioning. Such a scenario may not be a sci-fi fantasy anymore. New technology, memorably named SDS-VR-1000, is being tested to do precisely this.
KEEPING TABS ON THE SECURITY WORKERS A tragedy might go unprevented if an officer is distracted and daydreaming while the image of a bomb comes across their X-ray screen. But new monitoring equipment—similar to cardiogram machines—would continuously study employees to spot check their competency and help managers know when their employees need to take breaks. The technology, being develped by Eltel, is similar to the camera-monitoring system used by casinos to catch any signs of suspicious behavior by their staff or customers.
Do any of these programs work? The verdict is still out. Consider those infrared devices used to tell if a passenger's heart rate is speeding up. The machines sound awfully similar to those thermal imaging devices that are supposed to detect whether a passenger is running a fever—and which are not effective, according to a recent study.
False alarms are another worry. Many innocent passengers are bound to be mistakenly fingered as possible bad guys. Even if the devices were 99.999 percent accurate—which would be surprisingly good—they would set off about 20 false alarms a day nationwide. Yet for many Americans, the inconvenience and added expense could be worth it.
What do you think? How would you feel about being exposed to "incriminating stimuli" at the airport security gate to see how you react?
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
Can these tests discriminate between a stressed terrorist and a stressed civil libertarian?
Posted By Chuck on April 10, 2010, 1:02 PM
Is the terrorist threat really that pervasive? What's next, microchip tracking devices or ocular implants with our bar code? Sheesh, I'll drive and only fly when it is absolutely necessary.
Posted By Kelly on April 11, 2010, 6:53 AM
These ideas are absurd! Have we not seen 'Minority Report'? (Kudos for using the picture btw) Have we not seen 'I Robot'? Have we not seen 'Surrogates'? It NEVER ends well! And, I'm gonna have to completely co-sign with Kelly - Is the terrorist threat really that pervasive?!
Posted By BlackBrad on April 12, 2010, 5:26 PM
This seems a bit too far out there. I mean come on . . . like just knowing you're being screened isn't going to make your heart jump a few beats, or the beads of sweat from forming on your brow. Where does it end? They're going to be pulling little old ladies out of the security line and interrogating them for fear that they may be a terrorist? Crazy!
Posted By Beverly on April 13, 2010, 11:27 AM
Do anything! We must try all things that can prevent problems! Every American has to understand that we are at WAR!!!
Posted By Hugo on April 15, 2010, 10:25 AM
How does anyone feel about being subject to the whims of a high tech police state. These type of mass screenings are useless over time in stopping all but the most obvious. This is very very expensive security theater and we are paying for it. Those who think this will make them safe will be neither safe nor free and will find huge amounts of time wasted as the infrastructure of a police state remains under vigorous construction.
Posted By john wet on April 15, 2010, 11:32 AM
Just read "1984." All your questions and all your answers are in there. Eternal war, here we...are.
Posted By Bigtexxx on April 15, 2010, 11:51 AM
Ben Franklin had it right: "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Posted By Josh on April 15, 2010, 12:19 PM
Glad I stopped flying this year. They already have methods to use to detect would-be terrorists and they don't use them (for example, warnings from the UK about the "Christmas bomber" going unheeded). Welcome to the police state we used to call the USA.
Posted By Mary on April 15, 2010, 1:56 PM
If it means the skies are safer I dont mind any of the machines mentioned. I have nothing to hide, so I wouldn't be nervous in any of them. If it's a question of rights, I feel they are giving me the right to be safer, so I don't feel mine have been infringed upon.
Posted By Cathy on April 15, 2010, 2:09 PM
I am fine with it...the only thing I'd hope for is no longer lines
Posted By Christina on April 15, 2010, 2:36 PM
Wow...what a paranoid concept....and a sad reflection on the state of the world. Its not us against them....we are all humans together in this globe and actions like this dehumanize society and devalue and discriminate against people and don't address the underlying problems that have created these ignorant rogue terrorists who do not represent anything but their selfish interests. No I would not be a fan. This absurdity appears to be no longer confined to the movies only....sigh.
Posted By SR on April 15, 2010, 2:42 PM
If TSA could read my mind, they would kiss my butt. They are clueless.
Posted By Russ on April 15, 2010, 3:06 PM
I don't think it will work.... for one I am one of these nervous nelly type people that would probably fail the test. While some terrorist has been trained to beat lie detector tests & stay cool under pressure, I think the system can be beaten by training. I think it would work well for drug mules(trafficers), I think it would really work well for human smugglers(sex trade) too. TSA they should use these devices but not rely on them. The device will work well for many crimes in the airline industry but not the one we really worry about most terrorists.
Posted By Lisa from Folsom CA on April 15, 2010, 3:08 PM
As my grandfather used to say, "All aboard!"
Bring back the trains. High speed rail lines.
Sure, they can be targeted as well. And yes, they can't get you from A to B as quickly and I know they don't cross oceans. We can't have it all.
Roomy seats, lots of space for carry-on and guess what?! No charge for baggage. And if train travel really depresses you, there's a Club Car where you can go drink and complain.
Sometimes, you have to go back to move forward.
Posted By Thom on April 15, 2010, 3:13 PM
Why go to all this expense when the best solution seems to be of that mentioned in the joke email circulating around...the one about putting individuals in a decompression chamber at the security check point which would detonate bombs before getting on the aircraft. I know, bad taste, but too funny!
Posted By Michele Motley on April 15, 2010, 3:26 PM
And how much is it going to cost we the taxpayers for all this garbage???? TSA shuld be listening to all the warnings we get from other agencies and countries. Or maybe just closing our doors to all foreigners for a while and clean up the country.
Posted By jimro on April 15, 2010, 3:50 PM
2010 America seems more and more like George Orwell's '1984'. Given the similarity between America today and the Big Brother state in Orwell's book, I bet the book will no longer be on high school required reading lists...
Posted By LYNN on April 15, 2010, 5:02 PM
It depends. Are we talking about intelligent and dignified workers who execute their jobs with a little class or untrained monkeys that drool at the first glimpse of power?
Posted By cafesam on April 15, 2010, 5:02 PM
I have been flying internationally for over 30 years. It is always stressful especially when trying to get through an overlong customs line which is understaffed with agents (Think O'Hare!) I often find myself having to run to make it to the next security checkpoint. Sweating and stressed, I probably look like a pretty "suspicious" 56 year old school teacher!
A real terrorist would be able to be the system as others have said.
Posted By Barb on April 15, 2010, 5:05 PM
Oh, goody! More security theater. I wonder if the TSA would be able to understand my low opinion of them, or whether they will be too busy patting down the eight-something woman they forced out of her wheelchair.
Posted By LeftCoastBlue on April 15, 2010, 7:05 PM
Huge waste of time and money for more security theater. But the machine makers make millions. Remember the IED detectors that were empty boxes. Operation chase your tail.
Posted By silas on April 15, 2010, 9:48 PM
Welcome to the USA...I don't understand why they don't have dogs sniffing everything at the security lines. You don't need those gimmicky machines, just man's best friend. Perhaps they don't want to offend any Muslims?
Posted By Typical White Person on April 15, 2010, 9:53 PM
No NO NO NO. Enough already. They are gimmicky expensive toys that won't work. Ordinary folk will sweat and panic... the bad guys KNOW how to beat these machines and they will. I agree with all the comments about Orwell's '1984' We're there!
Israel has got it right. Screen everybody OUTSIDE the airport.
Posted By Pat on April 15, 2010, 10:52 PM
Those of you who say you have nothing to hide as rationale for cheering on this latest intrusion into our privacy (which, as many have pointed out is most-likely to create astronomical profits for a few select corporations) what about the rest of us who have "nothing to hide" but, as Barb noted, will be pulled aside and risk losing connecting flights because we're stressed about other things,
I know that it would cause me extreme stress to be shown photos of "known terrorists" while understanding that any wrong twitch or other physiological response to this stress may mean I am interrogated and not allowed to board.
Posted By Sasha on April 16, 2010, 7:42 AM
I am a nervous flier. Always have been, always will be; it just stresses me out and the TSA always seems to give me a reason to be afraid. Techniques like the ones described in this article would surely flag me as dangerous. I am not at all ok with our civil liberties being taken from us so we can have a little perceived safety. The fact is, if someone wants to do you harm, they will. They will always find a way.
Posted By Meg on April 16, 2010, 9:32 AM
We should be doing what the Israelis have been doing, with good success: brief chat by trained personnel with every passenger at the check-in line. All of this technology is prone to false alarms and incredible cost.
Posted By Henry on April 16, 2010, 10:59 AM
I'm sorry to say that SR has it dead wrong. It is "us against them". The them being those that wish to wipe out Western civilization. I, too, think we should emulate Israel -- they have it perfected and haven't had a major incident. At Gatwick one time I had pulled 50# of luggage up the ramp from the rental car return, and my hands were shaking from the effort. Boy was I put through the mill before being able to take my flight home!
Posted By Sue on April 16, 2010, 11:14 AM
I have to agree that enough is enough. By the time I get to the airport, check in and wait in line, I am already stressed out about whether I will make it to my plane on time - especially when trying to connect and my plane was late landing, which happens a lot. Why don't we use dogs? It is cheaper and much more efficient. Stop the insanity. Air travel is getting to be an endurance test not a pleasant experience.
Posted By Carol on April 17, 2010, 4:48 AM
first of all the tsa is pathetic theatrical joke...
they hire unintelligent, stereotyping morons
to look like they're doing something so that
the flying public feel (albeit falsely) safer.
and the last time they checked my luggage,
they stole my camera, so who screens the screeners...
more morons !
Posted By michael on April 17, 2010, 11:28 PM
These "tools" sounds an awful lot like a combination of a polygraph and Rorschach test. Imagine you are a trauma survivor. The TSA shows you a picture of someone who resembles your perpetrator. Congratulations. You've just won the lottery. The prize is loss of your flight, hours of unpleasant interrogation and possibly a call to your attorney.
Those of you who smugly announce you have nothing to hide have no better control of your autonomic nervous system than the rest of us. Having something or nothing to hide won't protect you.
Posted By Ducklady on April 26, 2010, 4:35 PM
A commenter worried thus: "2010 America seems more and more like George Orwell's '1984'." If you're online, you already have both feet firmly planted in 1984. Extending 1984 to airport security is natural and warranted today.
It sounds like the methods described in this article are designed to provide further confirmation of a TSA staffer's intuition about a particular passenger. One knows, in one's own mind, the difference between teenagers walking to school down one's street and teenagers prowling with bad intent. Wouldn't it be great to have a system in place to support your intuition?
If a person is leaving for vacation or returning home from business travel, these confirmations will clearly show it. Conversely, if someone is traveling with ill intent, regardless of the target,that will also show. And regardless of said intended target, I believe we would all fly safer with people of positive intent.
Normally, I don't worry about other people. When I'm stuck in a flying cigar tube, in vulnerable close quarters with others, you betcha I'm noticing the mannerisms of other passengers.
Posted By Kurt on April 26, 2010, 9:16 PM
More security !!!!
this is why I stopped flying a few years ago.
Posted By Don on May 1, 2010, 2:57 PM
Ich lese Blogs. Es ist sogar besser als Lesen von Zeitschriften oder Bücher.
Posted By polski prawnik on March 7, 2012, 3:11 PM