Homeland security researching new airport body scanner that reads minds
The Department of Homeland Security is testing a type of body scanner that seeks out invisible clues that a person might be harbouring criminal intent, such as raised body temperature, pulse and breathing rate.
The system, called MALINTENT, uses a raft of "non-invasive" sensors and imagers to detect such factors remotely - subjects are not hooked up to anything. It also evaluates a person's facial expression to help to gauge whether they could be planning to commit an attack or crime.
The technology, developed by the Human Factors division of Homeland Security's directorate for Science and Technology, would be used at border checkpoints, airports and special events that require security screening.
Unlike current technology which aims to detect devices such as guns or explosives, it focuses on the person who could pose the threat.
The technology, dubbed Future Attribute Screening Technology, or FAST, deploys a range of "innovative physiological and behavioural technologies" to pick up "indications of malintent or the intent or desire to cause harm", according to the DHS.
Still in the development stage, it is designed to streamline screening of people at security checkpoints enabling large numbers to be vetted swiftly.
"It would take imaging and sensor technologies to observe physiological changes that might indicate intent to harm, such as skin temperature, pulse, respiration and gestures," said Amy Kudwa, a DHS spokeswoman.
She added it would be capable of distinguishing between someone with a hostile intent and a plane passenger, for example, who was merely stressed about missing a connection.
The technology is currently installed in a mobile unit, or demonstration laboratory, that scans people with multiple sensors while they walk through it. Last week it was tested in Maryland using nearly about 140 volunteers, Ms Kudwa said.
Some of the volunteers were told to act suspiciously as they walked past the FAST sensors.
"We're still very early on in this research, but it is looking very promising," John Verrico, a DHS spokesman, told New Scientist. "We are running at about 78 percent accuracy on mal-intent detection, and 80 percent on deception."
If the sensors pick up anything considered alarming, analysts can decide whether to subject a person to questioning.
The system, called MALINTENT, uses a raft of "non-invasive" sensors and imagers to detect such factors remotely - subjects are not hooked up to anything. It also evaluates a person's facial expression to help to gauge whether they could be planning to commit an attack or crime.
The technology, developed by the Human Factors division of Homeland Security's directorate for Science and Technology, would be used at border checkpoints, airports and special events that require security screening.
Unlike current technology which aims to detect devices such as guns or explosives, it focuses on the person who could pose the threat.
The technology, dubbed Future Attribute Screening Technology, or FAST, deploys a range of "innovative physiological and behavioural technologies" to pick up "indications of malintent or the intent or desire to cause harm", according to the DHS.
Still in the development stage, it is designed to streamline screening of people at security checkpoints enabling large numbers to be vetted swiftly.
"It would take imaging and sensor technologies to observe physiological changes that might indicate intent to harm, such as skin temperature, pulse, respiration and gestures," said Amy Kudwa, a DHS spokeswoman.
She added it would be capable of distinguishing between someone with a hostile intent and a plane passenger, for example, who was merely stressed about missing a connection.
The technology is currently installed in a mobile unit, or demonstration laboratory, that scans people with multiple sensors while they walk through it. Last week it was tested in Maryland using nearly about 140 volunteers, Ms Kudwa said.
Some of the volunteers were told to act suspiciously as they walked past the FAST sensors.
"We're still very early on in this research, but it is looking very promising," John Verrico, a DHS spokesman, told New Scientist. "We are running at about 78 percent accuracy on mal-intent detection, and 80 percent on deception."
If the sensors pick up anything considered alarming, analysts can decide whether to subject a person to questioning.
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