A document leaked from the Transport Security Administration--you know, those guys who subject 82 year-old grandmothers to body-cavity searches--reveals that the US government has spent almost $1 billion deploying 'Behavior Detection Officers' to airport security.
According to The Independent:
The specialised agents of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are taught to evaluate passengers based on a checklist known as the “Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques” (SPOT).
But according to a copy of a SPOT report published by The Intercept, the “stress factors” that could see passengers stopped at security include arriving late for your flight, blinking too much, sweating and “excessive yawning”.
At the end of 2013, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) said the TSA had spent about $900 million to date deploying SPOT “without validating its scientific basis [or providing] performance measures”.
The GAO analysed over 400 scientific studies over six decades and found that “the human ability to accurately identify deceptive behaviour based on behavioural indicators is the same as or slightly better than chance”.
Oh, great. So, had they just flipped a coin, grandma might have been spared some humiliation.
In case you were wondering, the following will get you the unwanted attention of the TSA:
Stress factors (17):
- Arrives late for flight, if known
- Avoids eye contact with security personnel or LEO
- Exaggerated yawning as the individual approaches the screening process
- Excessive fidgeting, clock watching, head-turning, shuffling feet, leg shaking
- Excessive perspiration inconsistent with the environment
- Face pale from recent shaving of beard
- Facial flushing while undergoing screening
- Faster eye blink rate when individual requested to submit to screening procedures
- Increased breathing rate, panting
- Obvious “Adam’s Apple” jump when requested to submit to screening procedures
- Protruding or beating neck arteries
- Repetitive touching of face
- Rubbing or wringing of hands
- Strong body odour
- Sweaty palms
- Trembling
- Whistling as the individual approaches the screening process
Fear factors (15):
- Bag appears to be heavier than expected or does not suit the individual’s appearance
- Bulges in clothing
- Cold penetrating stare
- Constantly looking at other travellers or associates
- Exaggerated emotions or inappropriate behaviours to the location such as crying, excessive laughter or chatter
- Exaggerated, repetitive grooming gestures
- Hesitation/indecision on entering checkpoint or submitting to screening process
- Individuals who are seemingly unrelated but display identical dress or luggage
- Powerful grip of a bag or hand inside the bag
- Rigid posture, minimal body movements with arms close to side
- Scans area, appearing to look for security personnel or LEO
- Shows unusual interest in security officers and their work routine
- Displays arrogance and verbally expresses contempt for the screening process
- Wearing improper attire for location
- Widely open staring eyes
Deception factors (6):
- Appears to be confused or disoriented
- Appears to be in disguise
- Asks the Behaviour Detection Officer security-related questions
- Does not respond to authoritative commands
- Maintains covert ties with others (maintaining consistent eye contact with others, exhibiting hand gestures to others or passing objects to others)
- Repeatedly pats upper body with hands (not associated with divesting objects at X-ray/Metal Detector).
So, there you have it, campers. If you're planning to fly this Easter, do
not go in disguise; do
not appear confused; do
not whistle; do
not indulge in repetitive grooming gestures; do
not bulge and do
not, whatever you do, have a cold, penetrating stare.
But aside from those caveats (and about a hundred others), fly the friendly skies; and enjoy!