Lie detectors for airport security


A less intrusive and more effective way to screen
This seems like a pretty good idea.

NETANYA, Israel (Reuters) - A new walk-through airport lie detector made in Israel may prove to be the toughest challenge yet for potential hijackers or drugs smugglers.

Tested in Russia, the two-stage GK-1 voice analyser requires that passengers don headphones at a console and answer "yes" or "no" into a microphone to questions about whether they are planning something illicit.

The software will almost always pick up uncontrollable tremors in the voice that give away liars or those with something to hide, say its designers at Israeli firm Nemesysco.

"In our trial, 500 passengers went through the test, and then each was subjected to full traditional searches," said chief executive officer Amir Liberman. "The one person found to be planning something illegal was the one who failed our test."

The GK-1 is expected to cost between $10,000-$30,000 when marketed. A spokesman for Moscow's Domodyedevo airport, which is using a prototype, said "the tester (lie detector) has proved to be effective and we are in principle ready to use it."

I have only two concerns. First, I don't think the results should be fed into any sort of central database unless there is actually other evidence of illegality. And if it is really that effective, I think it should replace most of airport screening currently used.

Hat tip to Juliaki.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Fri - November 18, 2005 at 04:46 PM  Tag


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