Homeland Security Department Testing "Pre-Crime" Detector

holy_calamity writes "New Scientist reports that the Department of Homeland Security recently tested something called Future Attribute Screening Technologies (FAST) — a battery of sensors that determine whether someone is a security threat from a distance. Sensors look at facial expressions, body heat and can measure pulse and breathing rate from a distance. In trials using 140 volunteers those told to act suspicious were detected with 'about 78% accuracy on mal-intent detection, and 80% on deception,' says a DHS spokesman."

Comments

Re:sensors...

[VeNoM0619]

But lets assume its not used for convicting and would be used how it should be: to help determine who might be a threat. Therefor security can watch that person more closely (without pushing them over the edge as well).

I think using this to identify a criminal would obviously be the bad idea, but using this to help narrow who to watch would be what this should be used for.