Gov't Accountability Office Finds Army of Specially Trained "Behavior Detection" Agents Failed to Stop Terrorists
Times Square bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad was arrested after he boarded a plane headed for Dubai, though the government is spending millions each year on a program that's supposed to spot terrorists before they reach the gate. As CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports, the program doesn't seem to be working.
There's a hidden layer of airport security most people don't know about. It's called "behavior detection," and involves specially trained Transportation Security Administration employees whose primary mission is to spot terrorists.
They look for unique facial expressions and body language that may identify a potential threat. About 3,000 of these officers work at 161 U.S. airports -- costing taxpayers nearly $200 million in 2009. This year, the TSA asked Congress for $20 million more to expand the program.
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In fact, sources tell CBS News a Government Accountability Office investigation is raising serious questions about the program.
The GAO uncovered at least 16 individuals later accused of involvement in terrorist plots flew 23 different times through U.S. airports since 2004. Yet none were stopped by TSA behavior detection officers working at those airports.
"It's a disgrace," said aviation security analyst Charles Slepian. "Why didn't they stop them? If it worked, you would catch them."
Scientists are split over whether it's even possible to recognize terrorists simply by behavior detection. A 2008 report found no evidence it works.
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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/19/eveningnews/main6500349.shtmlIf it doesn't work, throw more money at it until it does. Why do you put in 161 airports to begin with and not test it at some major ones first to see if it is effective?
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