Future Attribute Screening Technology
Future Attribute Screening Technology (FAST)[1] is a program created by the Department of Homeland Security. It was originally titled Project Hostile Intent. The purpose is to detect "hostile thoughts" by screening people at border posts. The DHS science spokesman John Verrico stated in September 2008, "We are running at about 78% accuracy on mal-intent detection, and 80% on deception."[2] In a meeting held on July 24, 2008 the DHS Under Secretary Jay Cohen stated, "the goal here is to develop a prototype to detect deception and hostile intent in real time."[3] The new screening technology measures pulse rate, skin temperature, breathing, facial expression, body movement, pupil dilation, and additional cues to see if you are a terrorist, or have intentions of causing harm. The technology would mostly be used at airports, and special events.