Walk Like a Bomber
MIT Technology Review reports on a device could prove useful.
Radar attached to software that can tell if you’re carrying a load. Mistake risks? Trigger happy security. Innocents being forced to strip down in public. Benefits in high risk zones such as Israeli-Palestinian crossings and just about anywhere in Iraq? Immeasureable.
In November 2005, three suicide bombers walked into three hotels in Jordan and blew themselves up, killing 63 and injuring more than 100. While the world is alert to such deadly threats, the challenge remains: how to detect approaching suicide bombers from a safe distance. X-ray machines can obviously see a concealed bomb, but they are dangerous to humans–and a bomber could detonate himself and kill people at the checkpoint. Video surveillance can help, but it requires personnel trained to scan crowds and pick out suspicious individuals.
A new radar-imaging technology expected to reach market later this year could solve the problem by directing low-power radar beams at people–who can be 50 yards or more away–and analyzing reflected radar returns to reveal concealed objects. And early research indicates that this method could one day be augmented with video-analysis software that spots bombers by discerning subtle differences in gait that occur when people carry heavy objects.
Virginia-based SET Corporation is developing both approaches for its CounterBomber, a system nearing commercialization that detects suicide-bomber suspects from a safe distance, says Thomas Burns, CEO of the company, which was founded four years ago by scientists from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Customers might include airports and military bases, he says. The device could be ready for sale by the fall of 2007.
Sometimes, of course, radar is not necessary.
“So, how’d you know he was a terrorist?”
“He sizzled.”
“Excuse me?”
“He tried to self-detonate. There was a malfunction. I saw smoke. I didn’t want to take a chance on there being a second trigger. We were in a supermarket. Women and children all around. I drew and and shot him in the chest.”
AS P.A. notes in comments, people who deal with this threat on a regular basis probably develop pretty good radar all their own.
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Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:37 pm on Monday, January 22, 2007
2 Responses to “Walk Like a Bomber”
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January 22nd, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Years ago I read of some technology cops in the big city wanted to use to detect people who were packing. Some sort of high-tech gizmo.
The main criticism the experienced cops had is that they really didn’t need it. They could tell just by watching someone’s gait and mannerisms.
My mannerisms are a bit different when I’m packing, and so are cops if you watch’em for a bit. People with a weapon pat it frequently as a subconscious measure to make sure its still there and still in place.
Parachutists do the same thing with their cutaway and reserve handles. Until the moment you’re actually out the door, you’re constantly touching them and reverifying that everything is still in order.
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:56 am
It would still be a good thing to have. Wouldn’t such a device have someone who did nothing but focus on the read-out, leaving others to eyeball the actions and attitudes of individuals. I would think that it would take both, especially when crowds are involved.
Any aid is welcome.