It sounds like the stuff of science-fiction nightmare.
But experts say a new scanner which can read minds is the next step in fighting terrorism.
Inventors also claim it will slash queuing times at airports - and bring an end to a ban on liquids.
War on terror: The new device uses sophisticated technology to read body temperature, heart rate and respiration
The device, dubbed MALINTENT by inventors, uses sophisticated sensors to read body temperature, heart rate and respiration.
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Analysed together, these factors can lead security services to potential terrorists.
Any suspects are pulled aside for questioning and then subjected to a second scan, which involve micro-facial scanning.
This equipment is able to read minute muscle movements which give further indications of criminal intent.
So far it can recognise seven primary emotions and emotional clues and will eventually have equipment which can analyse body movement, an eye scanner and a pheromone-reader.
More importantly, developers have programmed it to recognise the difference between someone who is simply stressed and a potential terrorist.
But there have already been concerns that the equipment is overly invasive and breaches people’s privacy.
Mind reader: Passengers are scanned by a number of different devices, including this infra-red camera
MALINTENT, which has been developed by the U.S. Department for Homeland Security is housed in a mobile screening laboratory the size of a trailer.
Over the last few weeks, 144 volunteers have taken part in initial tests to gauge it’s effectiveness.
According to Fox News, the testers believed they were passing through an entrance way and had no clue that they were being scanned.
MALINTENT was developed by the Human Factors division, in Homeland Security ’s directorate for Science and Technology.
Project leader Bob Burns said: ‘If you focus on looking at the person, you don’t have to worry about detecting the device itself.
‘It does not predict who you are and make a judgment, it only provides an assessment in situations.
Sophisticated: The information is then examined by experts who decide if passengers are a security risk
‘It analyses you against baseline stats when you walk in the door, it measures reactions and variations when you approach and go through the portal.
Developers say the information is not retained after passengers have passed through the door.
‘Your data is dumped,’ Mr Burns added. ‘The information is not maintained - it doesn’t track who you are.’
The equipment is called ‘Future Attribute Screening Technology’ - or FAST - as it allows passengers to get through security in two to four minutes.
As it scans for intent rather than equipment, developers also hope that bans on carrying liquids onto planes could be lifted.
It is anticipated MALINTENT could eventually be used in sports stadiums and shopping malls as well as airports.
Article by: Liz Hazelton
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Liz+Hazelton
