US Department of Homeland Security developing system to predict criminal intent

engadget.com ^ | Oct. 8, 2011 | Donald Melanson

[Free ThinkerNY]

We're not exactly lacking in opportunities for Minority Report references these days, but sometimes they're just unavoidable.

According to a new report from CNET based on documents obtained by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the US Department of Homeland security is now working on a system dubbed FAST (or Future Attribute Screening Technology) that's designed to identify individuals who are most likely to commit a crime.

That's not done with something as simple as facial recognition and background checks, however, but rather algorithms and an array of sensors and cameras that can detect both physiological and behavioral cues that are said to be "indicative of mal-intent."

What's more, while the DHS says that it has no plans to actually deploy the system in public just yet, it has apparently already conducted a limited trial using DHS employees -- though no word on the results of how well it actually works, of course.

[MasterGunner01]

Sounds like DHS has been watching too many reruns of “Minority Report” with Tom Cruise. They're going to field their version of the “Pre Crime Task Force” but they won't use telepaths; they'll use the same computers that now predict “Global Warming”. What could possibly go wrong?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Sure would like to bring that thing onto capitol hill and watch them all scramble for cover.

[jonatron]

Your tax dollars at work.

[Fred Hayek]

Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand.
Dr. Ferris is part of the administration, bent on “equalizing”.

[vaudine]

Thanks! Been about 50 years since I read Atlas shrugged and a lot of years since the movie.

vaudine

[mo]

they could start...by anyone opening a campaign finance account ..and declaring their intent to run for elective state or federal office...