Snapshot: TSL Inventor Helps Keep Detection Systems in Check
As the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens nearly two million people each day, officers are faced with the challenge of finding even the smallest sign of a threat.
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As the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens nearly two million people each day, officers are faced with the challenge of finding even the smallest sign of a threat.
ZADD develops innovative solutions and fosters collaborations to protect the Nation’s agriculture and public health sectors against high-consequence foreign animal, emerging, and zoonotic disease threats.
START advances science-based knowledge about the causes and consequences of terrorism, and the effectiveness and consequences of responses to terrorism.
CVADA creates enduring technologies to analyze large quantities of information in support of real-time decision making across the homeland security enterprise.
CREATE’s mission is to improve the Nation’s security through the development of advanced models and tools for the evaluation of the risks, costs, and consequences of terrorism and to guide economically viable investments in homeland security.
ALERT conducts transformational research, technology, and educational development to characterize, detect, mitigate, and respond to explosives-related threats facing the country and the world.
START advances science-based knowledge about the causes and consequences of terrorism, and the effectiveness and consequences of responses to terrorism.
CINA develops strategies and solutions to enhance criminal network analysis, forensics, and investigative processes for on-the-ground use by agents and officers to counteract transnational crime.
CAOE develops and applies advanced analytical tools and technologies to enhance planning and real-time decision-making in homeland security operations.
Approximately 1.2 million people fly within the United States every day. To keep these passengers safe, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employs a multilayer security system to ensure that the traveling public and the nation’s transportation systems are protected. The Behavior Detection (BD) program serves an essential function in this multilayered security approach. Unique from other security capabilities within the TSA security system, the BD program, which was previously reserved for Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs) but is now comprised of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) as well, trains officers to identify anomalous behaviors by observing passengers and comparing what they see to an established behavioral baseline. The goal of the program is to identify high-risk travelers and subject them to additional screening. This report describes the results of an empirical study that addressed these research goals and furthered DHS S&T’s understanding of the visual search process required for successful BD performance.