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Airport Security of the Future: Mind Reading?

It's among the ideas that could shape the future of airline security

By the Associated Press

Posted Jan 9, 2010 8:14 AM CST

(AP) – A would-be terrorist tries to board a plane. As he walks through a security checkpoint, a network of high-tech machines analyzes his body language and reads his mind. Screeners pull him aside. Tragedy is averted. As far-fetched as that sounds, it's among the ideas that could shape the future of airline security:

Mind readers: One system being tested projects images onto airport screens, such as symbols associated with a certain terrorist group. The logic is that people can't help reacting to familiar images; sensors would detect any rise in body temperature and heart rate.

Lie detectors: One system being studied works like a souped-up polygraph: The new battery of tests would include scans of facial movements and pupil dilation for signs of deception; small platforms similar to the balancing boards used in the Nintendo Wii would help detect fidgeting.
The Israeli model: At Israeli airports, widely considered the most secure in the world, travelers are subjected to probing personal questions as screeners look them straight in the eye for signs of deception. Searches are meticulous, with screeners often scrutinizing every item in a bag, unfolding socks, squeezing toothpaste, and flipping through books.

A man walks through an airport scanner at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, Calif., Friday, Jan. 8, 2010. Security experts have floated several new ideas to enhance airport security... (Jeff Chiu)

(M. Sherman)

FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2010 file photo, TSA officers work at a security check-point at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac, Wash. Security experts have floated several new ideas to enhance... (Elaine Thompson)

A woman walks through an airport scanner at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, Calif., Friday, Jan. 8, 2010. Security experts have floated several new ideas to enhance airport security... (Jeff Chiu)

(Shutterstock)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 29 comments

guasu

Jan 11, 2010 12:03 PM CST

This is retarded. It invades the privacy of the individual and anyone at any moment might have mood swings that doesn't mean anything else. It will cost a lot of money to develop and maintain and it will only make the process slower. What about how easy could be to break the system with drugs or anything that could block signals to any area of the brain for a time or people trained that knows how the systems work and can work out their emotions just like with polygraph tests? Israeli model...oh god. Please when will they start working on the roots? Is the problem what harm people can do or the causes that turn people to do what they do? A lot of resources waste on the wrong problems.

Craighenn

Jan 11, 2010 6:10 AM CST

Well, really, the citizens of that movie's world were relatively peaceful. No murders, so preservation of life was maintained. Not all that bad unless Tom Cruise gets suspected.

Netstorm2k10

Jan 10, 2010 12:52 PM CST

Yeah, I know. I started typing something else, but I blacked out out and came to with that on the screen. So, like any good writer, I went with it.

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Airport Security of the Future: Mind Reading?

It's among the ideas that could shape the future of airline security

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airport security

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Rand Paul's TSA Scuffle Now Raking in Cash for Dad

Ron Paul urges supporters to contribute to 'End the TSA Money Bomb'

Rand Paul Refuses TSA Patdown, Gets Detained

Ron Paul's son being detained 'indefinitely,' says spokesperson

TSA: We Were Right to Take That Cupcake

...because it was a cupcake in a jar

People Left $409K in Coins at Airport Checkpoints

And the TSA is keeping it

Flier Tasered at Calif. Airport

Edwin Barton loses it after having to go through screening twice

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Rand Paul's TSA Scuffle Now Raking in Cash for Dad

Ron Paul urges supporters to contribute to 'End the TSA Money Bomb'

Rand Paul Refuses TSA Patdown, Gets Detained

Ron Paul's son being detained 'indefinitely,' says spokesperson

TSA: We Were Right to Take That Cupcake

...because it was a cupcake in a jar

People Left $409K in Coins at Airport Checkpoints

And the TSA is keeping it

Flier Tasered at Calif. Airport

Edwin Barton loses it after having to go through screening twice

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Newser By Users

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