‘Pre-crime’ detector shows promise

September 24, 2008 | Source: New Scientist Short Sharp Science

The US Department of Homeland Security says its Future Attribute Screening Technologies (FAST) program — designed to detect “hostile thoughts” in people walking through border posts, airports and public places (similar to “pre-crime” units that predict criminal behavior in the movie Minority Report) — achieved 78% accuracy on malintent detection, and 80% on deception in a recent test.