Terrorist detectors for every UK airport

[buckthesystem]

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/index...=1441102007#new

Sun 9 Sep 2007

Terrorist detectors for every UK airport

RICHARD ELIAS

CAMERAS which can automatically spot potential terrorists are to be installed at all major British airports within months, Scotland on Sunday can reveal.

The cameras - which are already used in the US - will be installed in check-in halls to help protect passengers from al-Qaeda suicide bombers.

Although the Glasgow Airport terror attack involved a vehicle, it highlighted how vulnerable airline passengers are as they wait to check in.

The equipment to be installed at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen - as well as all major airports in England - will cost several million pounds and is so sensitive it can detect 10,000 separate facial "microexpressions" and even changes in an individual's skin temperature.

Known as behavioural screening, the technique will allow the body language of prospective passengers to be automatically analysed by the camera and suspicious behaviour flagged up to security staff.

A senior security source told Scotland on Sunday: "The cameras will be phased in over the next few months across the UK as part of a rolling programme of new anti-terror initiatives.

"These cameras will help passengers at all British airports enjoy a new level of safety and will provide the authorities with a vital tool to tackle the terror threat. They have been used already in other parts of the world and so it is only natural that the government here would want something similar."

The new system has been designed to focus on the public areas of airports in an attempt to prevent a suicide bomber detonating themselves as passengers queue to check in. They are particularly vulnerable at this stage because public access is allowed and there are no security checks.

Depending on the size and shape of the check-in hall, about four cameras will be used to scan specific sectors. Even if hundreds of people are in the scene, the cameras are capable of detecting "suspicious" movements and behaviour.

The facial expressions and mannerisms of anyone in the airports can be observed, and even if an individual is perspiring more than usual - a possible sign of anxiety or nervous anticipation - that too can be detected and flagged up.

The cameras are even capable of recognising individuals. Fugitive profiles can also be downloaded onto the system, and by scanning the millions of images, the technology can identify a suspect in seconds.

The system works by having a database of 'normal' human actions and behaviour programmed into it.

The computer recognises and ignores general socialising and interaction but flags up anything it deems untoward. This could range from something as straightforward as an adult running through the airport to someone screaming.

Behavioural screening has been used at Logan International Airport in Boston. Security staff were alerted to one man who was dressed in army fatigues but had hair too long to make him a regular soldier.

In Miami, where the technology is also used, several people were questioned after being picked up on camera standing by a suitcase while another in their party fiddled with the contents.

Both cases highlight the capabilities but also drawbacks. None of the individuals was involved in any terrorist activity, but supporters of the move say it is better to double-check many innocent people rather than let a terrorist slip through the net.

One of the world's leading manufacturers of behavioural screening cameras is Roke Manor Research, based in Hampshire, which has created Video Motion Anomaly Detection.

Anthony Dixon, manager of security applications, said: "Cameras have an unlimited attention span and can detect things which we cannot."

However, John Scott, a Scottish human rights expert, said: "It would appear that this is based on principles similar to the lie detector tests, and we all know how unreliable they can be."

A closer look

BEHAVIOURAL screening allows state-of-the-art cameras to 'predict' human behaviour.

[Scarletprayers]

bucks............all I'm gonna say is, I love ya!

[buckthesystem]

bucks............all I'm gonna say is, I love ya!

Aaaawwwhh thank you Scarlet!

I just knew you'd agree with me eventually, that makes me feel so good.

[Afal]

I totally agree that anyone with a fear of flying has got a problem here!!!

[Scarletprayers]

This guy is GLAD for airport security

[buckthesystem]

This guy is GLAD for airport security

This has nothing at all to do with airport security. It just tells us that this guy's doctors did not do their job properly!

The OP was all about millions of dollars of taxpayers' money spent on a "feel good" system THAT DOES NOT WORK!

It is an awfully expensive way of displaying a possible fatal mistake that any hospital x-ray machine would have also exposed, at a lot less cost!

I wonder, was there any accountability from the doctors involved?