Page | 1 CBRNE-TERRORISM NEWSLETTER – February 2016 www.cbrne-terrorism-newsletter.com Page | 2 CBRNE-TERRORISM NEWSLETTER – February 2016 How to spot a terrorist, according to US airport security By Oliver Smith Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/11503843/How-to-spot-a-terrorist-according-to- US-airport-security.html Excessive yawning, strong body odor and arrogance are among the suspicious signs that US airport staff are trained to associate with potential terrorists, a leaked document has revealed (in 2015). A confidential security checklist used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the organization in charge of airport screening in the US, was published by The Intercept. Other warning signs, according to the document, include protruding or throbbing neck arteries, whistling, excessive laughter, and "verbally expressing contempt for the screening process". Its Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) guidance, used by staff to root out potential terrorists, lists a total of 17 “stress factors”, each of which are worth one point, 15 “fear factors”, worth two points, and six “deception factors”, worth three. If a traveler scores four or more points, they should be referred for selective screening, according to the instructions. The 17 stress factors are: Sweaty palms Arrives later for flight Trembling Avoids eye contact with security personnel Whistling as the individual approaches the Exaggerated yawning as the individual screening process approached the screening process Excessive fidgeting, clock watching, head- The 15 fear factors are: turning, shuffling feet, leg shaking Bag appears to be heavier than expected or Excessive perspiration inconsistent with the does not suit the individual’s appearance environment Bulges in clothing Face pale from recent shaving of beard Cold penetrating stare Facial flushing while undergoing screening Constantly looking at other travelers or Faster eye blink rate when individual associates requested to submit to screening Exaggerated emotions or inappropriate procedures behavior such as crying, excessive laughter Increased breathing rate, panting or chatter Obvious “Adam’s Apple” jump when Exaggerated, repetitive grooming gestures requested to submit to screening Hesitation/indecision on entering procedures checkpoint Protruding or beating neck arteries Individuals who are seemingly Repetitive touching of face unrelated but display identical Rubbing or wringing of hands dress or luggage Strong body odor www.cbrne-terrorism-newsletter.com Page | 3 CBRNE-TERRORISM NEWSLETTER – February 2016 Powerful grip of a bag or hand inside the both spouses over 55 years old”, a female over bag 55 years old, or a male over 65 years old. Rigid posture, minimal body movements According to the Intercept, the document is not with arms close to side classified but has not been previously released Scans area, appearing to look for security to the public. A source “concerned about the personnel quality” of the official guidance sent the website Shows unusual interest in security officers a copy. and their work routine Nick Trend, Telegraph Travel’s consumer Displays arrogance and verbally expresses editor, also expressed doubts about the advice. contempt for the screening process “Given the stresses involved with negotiating Wearing improper attire for location immigration and security at most major US Widely open staring eyes airports, it would be a challenge for travelers not to display several of these indicators,” he And the six deceptions factors are: said. “I’m pretty sure the arteries on my neck were protruding the last time I queued to get Appears to be confused or disoriented through JFK. Appears to be in disguise “Trembling and sweaty palms could simply be Asks security-related questions a sign that you’re a nervous flier.” Does not respond to authoritative The TSA responded to The Intercept in a commands statement. Maintains covert ties with others “Behavior detection, which is just one element Repeatedly pats upper body with hands of the Transportation Security Administration’s efforts to mitigate threats against the travelling Points can also be deducted should certain public, is vital to TSA’s layered approach to observations make an individual less likely to deter, detect and disrupt individuals who pose be a terrorist in the opinion of the TSA. They a threat to aviation,” it said. include being an “apparent married couple with Confessions of an airport security worker By Oliver Smith Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10619017/Confessions-of-an-airport-security- worker.html A former US airport security worker has 2013, also alleged that passengers were – until confirmed the suspicions of many fliers by 2010 – profiled based on their nationality, and admitting that staff will often laugh and gawk at said that he and fellow staff accept that many the images of naked passengers that appear measures are unnecessary and ineffective. “The [full-body scanners] were good at detecting just about everything besides cleverly hidden explosives and guns,” wrote Mr Harrington. “Many of the images we gawked at were of overweight people, their every fold and dimple on full awful display. Piercings of every kind were visible. Women who’d had mastectomies were easy to discern — their chests showed up on our screens as dull, pixelated regions.” “Hernias appeared as bulging, blistery on full body scanners. growths in the crotch area. In a candid confession for the website Politico, Passengers were often caught off- Jason Harrington, a Transportation Security guard by the X-Ray scan and so Administration (TSA) officer from 2007 until materialized on-screen in www.cbrne-terrorism-newsletter.com Page | 4 CBRNE-TERRORISM NEWSLETTER – February 2016 ridiculous, blurred poses—mouths agape, à la meaning they were “pulled aside for full-body Edvard Munch. One of us in the I.O. room pat-downs and had their luggage examined would occasionally identify a passenger as with a fine-toothed comb”. female, only to have the officers out on the “Each day I had to look into the eyes of checkpoint floor radio back that it was actually passengers in niqabs and thawbs undergoing a man. All the old, crass stereotypes about full-body pat-downs, having been guilty of race and genitalia size thrived on our secure nothing besides holding passports from the government radio channels.” wrong nations,” he added. He went on to explain that technological The TSA has issued a statement following Mr changes eventually made the images less Harrington's confessions. revealing, and discusses how – in March 2012 “Many of the TSA procedures and policies – a blogger named Jonathan Corbett referenced in a recent opinion piece are no demonstrated in a YouTube video how the longer in place or are characterized scanners could not detect metal objects, such inaccurately,” it says. "TSA has installed as a gun. Automated Target Recognition software on Another issue Mr. Harrington looks at was the every Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) unit confiscation of seemingly innocuous items from in use, eliminating the analyzed images passengers, and intimate pat-downs. references in the article." As of last summer, “I hated it from the beginning,” he said. “It was there were more than 700 AIT scanners in use a job that had me patting down the crotches of at 165 US airports. children, the elderly and even infants as part of It added: “Every passenger deserves to be the post-9/11 airport security show. I treated with dignity and respect and confiscated jars of homemade apple butter on Transportation Security Administration policy the pretense that they could pose threats to upholds this standard. TSA does not tolerate national security. I was even required to any form of unethical or unlawful behavior by confiscate nail clippers from airline pilots — the its employees and takes swift disciplinary implied logic being that pilots could use the nail action if discovered.” clippers to hijack the very planes they were Nigel Richardson examined the issue of airport flying. security in Britain for Telegraph Travel last “Once, in 2008, I had to confiscate a bottle of year, and found that many readers – and alcohol from a group of Marines coming home experts – are beginning to question the from Afghanistan. It was celebration effectiveness of the measures in place. champagne intended for one of the men in the “I’m not sure airport security has ever stopped group—a young, decorated soldier. He was in anybody from doing anything, anywhere,” said a wheelchair, both legs lost to an I.E.D., and it Chris Yates, a respected consultant on fell to me to tell this kid who would never walk international security issues. again that his homecoming champagne had to “Some of the measures imposed upon be taken away in the name of national travelers – such as the (thankfully withdrawn) security.” ban on some sharp objects and the on/off Mr Harrington – who is writing a book about his requirement to remove shoes and belts – could experiences, and who also writes a blog called be fairly described as being there for the sake Taking Sense Away – later alleged on Twitter of public relations. These and other such that airport employees would “often drink those measures serve no purpose other than to bottles of alcohol you surrender at the increase the workload of already hard-pressed checkpoint”. security personnel, create confusion among He also confirmed that passengers from 12 passengers and perpetuate a climate of fear.” nations – Syria, Algeria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, A subsequent poll of more than 3,000 readers Yemen, Cuba, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, found that 84 per cent believed airport security Sudan and North Korea – were, until 2010, measures had "gone too far", and did not make automatically given enhanced screening, them feel any safer. Oliver Smith is the Telegraph's Digital Travel Editor. His favorite holiday destinations are Cornwall, Greece and Italy. The best part of his job is compiling the Sign Language gallery.