Sunday, October 07, 2007

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Technology Would Help Detect Terrorists Before They Strike. BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Are you a terrorist?

You’re in a desert walking along in the sand when all of the sudden you look down, and you see a tortoise, it’s crawling toward you. You reach down, you flip the tortoise over on its back. The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over, but it can’t, not without your help. But you’re not helping. Why is that?

Airport screeners, customs agents, police officers and members of the military who silently pose that question to people every day, may soon have much more than intuition to depend on to determine the answer.

Computer and behavioral scientists at the University at Buffalo are developing automated systems that track faces, voices, bodies and other biometrics against scientifically tested behavioral indicators to provide a numerical score of the likelihood that an individual may be about to commit a terrorist act.

"The goal is to identify the perpetrator in a security setting before he or she has the chance to carry out the attack," said Venu Govindaraju, Ph.D., professor of computer science and engineering in the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Govindaraju is co-principal investigator on the project with Mark G. Frank, Ph.D., associate professor of communication in the UB College of Arts and Sciences.

The project, recently awarded an $800,000 grant by the National Science Foundation, will focus on developing in real-time an accurate baseline of indicators specific to an individual during extensive interrogations while also providing real-time clues during faster, routine security screenings.

"We are developing a prototype that examines a video in a number of different security settings, automatically producing a single, integrated score of malfeasance likelihood," he said.

A key advantage of the UB system is that it will incorporate machine learning capabilities, which will allow it to "learn" from its subjects during the course of a 20-minute interview.

That's critical, Govindaraju said, because behavioral science research has repeatedly demonstrated that many behavioral clues to deceit are person-specific.

"As soon as a new person comes in for an interrogation, our program will start tracking his or her behaviors, and start computing a baseline for that individual 'on the fly'," he said.

The researchers caution that no technology, no matter how precise, is a substitute for human judgment.

"No behavior always guarantees that someone is lying, but behaviors do predict emotions or thinking and that can help the security officer decide who to watch more carefully," said Frank.

He noted that individuals often are randomly screened at security checkpoints in airports or at border crossings.

"Random screening is fair, but is it effective?" asked Frank. "The question is, what do you base your decision on -- a random selection, your gut reaction or science? We believe science is a better basis and we hope our system will provide that edge to security personnel."

Govindaraju added that the UB system also would avoid some of the pitfalls that hamper a human screener's effectiveness.

"Human screeners have fatigue and bias, but the machine does not blink," he said.

The UB project is designed to solve one of the more challenging problems in developing accurate security systems -- fusing information from several biometrics, such as faces, voices and bodies.

"No single biometric is suited for all applications," said Govindaraju, who also is founder and director of UB's Center for Unified Biometrics and Sensors. "Here at CUBS, we take a unique approach to developing technologies that combine and 'tune' different biometrics to fit specific needs. In this project, we are focusing on how to analyze different behaviors and come up with a single malfeasance indicator."

The UB project is among the first to involve computer scientists and behavioral scientists working together to develop more accurate detection systems based on research from each field.

Both researchers have spent their careers studying complementary areas. Since completing his doctoral dissertation on using computational tools to do facial recognition, Govindaraju has focused on problems in pattern recognition and artificial intelligence. Since founding CUBS in 2003, he has worked on a broad range of biometric technologies and devices.

Frank, a social psychologist, has spent his career conducting research on human nonverbal communication that strongly suggests whether or not an individual is feeling emotions or telling the truth. He founded the Communication Science Center at UB in 2005 and his work, recognized and utilized by security officials around the world, now provides important information for UB computer scientists.

Frank and Govindaraju began working together partly as a result of UB 2020, the university's strategic plan, which emphasizes strengthening interdisciplinary research.

"What I like about working with Venu and his team at CUBS is that they are creating new algorithms that hold the exciting possibility of revealing information and patterns that will help us spot potential bad guys," said Frank. "We expect that there will be an advantage to combining the behavioral understanding of people with algorithm development to make better predictions."

They expect to have a working prototype of the full system within a few years.

In addition to NSF, the researchers have received funding from the Department of Defense and the UB Office of the Vice President for Research.

The grant builds on previous work by CUBS, which has attracted more than $5 million in federal and industry funding in fewer than five years. The center develops new methods for customizing homeland security and other devices that use data from physical biometrics, such as fingerprints, hand geometry and iris scans; behavioral biometrics, such as signature, voiceprint and gait, and chemical biometrics, such as DNA and body odor.

The current research also has its roots in previous work examining nonverbal communication at the CSC, which has attracted more than $2 million in federal funding since its founding in 2005.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

Contact: Ellen Goldbaum goldbaum@buffalo.edu 716-645-5000 x1415 University at Buffalo

Technorati Tags: and or and or Presidential Podcast 10/06/07 and Columbus Day Christopher Columbus and Novel method for nanostructured polymer thin films

Trackback URL: http://haloscan.com/tb/sookietex/4175538075705049478

Linkfest Haven, the Blogger's OasisTrackposted to Blog at MoreWhat.com, Rosemary's Thoughts, Right Truth,
The Populist, Shadowscope, Stuck On Stupid, Phastidio.net, Cao's Blog, Leaning Straight Up, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Magical Rose Garden, third world county, DragonLady's World, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, Pirate's Cove, The Pink Flamingo, CORSARI D'ITALIA, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe. Trackposted to Nuke's, The Amboy Times, Pet Haven Blog, High Desert Wanderer, and Big Dog's Weblog, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Trackback Posted to: Which PKD Story Are We In Today ? - Ubik - "...the county's council even going so far as to boast that their new meters are among the most "secure and intelligent" in the country."

32 Trackbacks to this Post.

Celebrate Che is Dead Day - Excerpt: That's right, 40 years ago today, Che Guevera stopped spreading communism.Che Guevera believed that a man of action could revolutionize a people and strove to fight what he saw as Yankee domination of Latin America. Theory held that in spite. Weblog: The Amboy Times. Tracked: 10.08.07 - 8:44 am

Faux “Coffee Beer” Excerpt: Nothing earth-shattering here. Just a lil drive-by post.
... Weblog: third world county Tracked: 10.08.07 - 9:01 am

Crazy Sam - Iran's Technology Pace, Speedy Delivery? Excerpt: From FOX News: Iran Could Strike U.S. by 2015, U.S. Officials SayIranian technology is on pace to build a long-range missile that could strike the United States within a decade, a high-level Pentagon official told FOX News. But a... Weblog: The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns. Tracked: 10.08.07 - 9:12 am

Hillary “Bitch Slaps” A Voter In Iowa… From The Prowler at the American Spectator : Hillary Clinton is working hard to counter her image as an arrogant Ice Queen. At campaign stops, she laughs at her own jokes and regales the audience with tales of herself as a little girl who stared in… Weblog: Stuck on Stupid, Tracked: 10.08.07 9:23 am

Those Religious Nut Politicians … Since George Bush was elected president his religious views have been ridiculed and scorned, especially by those on the left and in the media (but I repeat myself). When George Bush says that he seeks the guidance of the Almighty people act as if he h… Weblog: Big Dogs Tracked 10/08/07 09:49 am

damnation through inaction. Excerpt: Just remember, boys and girls, that it is only firearms that emit some manner of strange, mind-controlling aura that make people go all manner of stupid and start shooting and killing other people. Knives would never do that. A few... Weblog: walls of the city Tracked: 10.08.07 - 10:41 am

Sandy Berger, Convicted Classified Document Thief Joins Clinton Campaign… What was posted previously on this blog is confirmed by Bill Sammon of the Washington Examiner . Sandy Berger, who stole highly classified terrorism documents from the National Archives, destroyed them and lied to investigators, is now an… Weblog: Stuck On Stupid Tracked: 10/08/07 10:46 am

Returning Favors?… Senator Hillary Clinton, the top Democratic frontrunner in the 2008 presidential race, has hired a convicted thief as an advisor to her campaign. But not content with just your typical run-of-the-mill thief, Ms. Clinton has decided to hire the best: S Weblog: CommonSenseAmerica, Tracked: 10/08/07 11:23 am

Will International Law Trump Our Sovereignty? Excerpt: It will if President George Bush has anything to do with it. We already knew that this administration is ready to hand our national sovereignty over to Mexico but did you ever think it would come by way of the International Court of Justice? That&#... Weblog: CommonSenseAmerica
Tracked: 10.08.07 - 11:42 am

Midland Reporter-Telegram: Hatchet Job on Giuliani. Excerpt: Although PN has done an excellent job of demonstrating political bias especially in the Midland Reporter-Telegram’s characterization of the GOP, I do take issue with PN’s characterization of those thousands of Texans - mostly bi-partisan - who are fi... Weblog: Faultline USA. Tracked: 10.08.07 - 12:21 pm

DNA To Shed Light On Columbus? Excerpt: DNA tests may finally answer that question for us. When schoolchildren turn to the chapter on Christopher Columbus’s humble origins as the son of a weaver in Genoa, they are not generally told that he might instead have been born... Weblog: Rhymes With Right, Tracked: 10.08.07 - 1:59 pm

Hillary Clinton: Phony Feminist, Excerpt: Andrew Sullivan, commenting upon Geoffrey Wheatcroft, applies that Limbaughesque turn of phrase to Hillary Rodham Clinton and her qualifications for high office. Geoffrey Wheatcroft compares the nepotistic path used by Hillary Rodham Clinton to achieve... Weblog: Rhymes With Right, Tracked: 10.08.07 - 2:02 pm

The Ultimate Internet Scheme …Excerpt. Do you want to buy cheap prescription drugs from people you’ve never seen? Do you believe that you may have won a million-dollar lottery you’ve never even heard of? Are you convinced that Bill Gates knows everything you do and…… Weblog: Conservative Cat. Tracked 10/08/07 2:15 pm

Okay, It’s Time to Talk Politics… This is supposed to be a political site, and I’ve mostly been talking about TV and movies lately. This is probably because when Bruce is really depressed he likes to watch DVDs. The Cubs did not do well in the…… Weblog: Conservative Cat Tracked: 10/08/07 4:51 pm

The Poor Little Rich Kid… How the Democrats’ Poor Little Rich Kid makes an a better argument for school choice…Barbara Boxer tryining to insure more Democratic Seats in 2006…And Bush meddles in state affairs to stop a killer of two teenager girls from being br… Weblog: Adam's Blog Tracked: 10/08/07 5:15 pm

Sandy Berger, Convicted Thief, Liar and Overall Lo ... Excerpt: It is confirmed that Sandy Berger, the guy who stole classified documents from the National Archives (whoops! How'd that happen?), destroyed them and lied about it, has been hired as an adviser to Hillary Clinton. Weblog: Blue Star Chronicles Tracked: 10.08.07 - 6:12 pm

The Bloggers go bloggin' on today, hurrah, hurrah, Excerpt: Yes. We must gather whatever strength we have left and keep bloggin' on, so here I am. I'm sitting here at my computer with over 38 emails that I still have to read and consider posting. Oh, the pain of it all! lol. Truth is, I don't have a d... Weblog: Rosemary's Thoughts. Tracked: 10.08.07 - 7:15 pm

Ayaan Hirsi Ali Has Returned to the United States, Excerpt: Ayaan Hirsi Ali has returned to the United States after having to leave due to her inability to afford proper security. As I have previously posted, she has lived under a fatwa since speaking out against islamic practices and her partner and friend T... Weblog: Blue Star Chronicles Tracked: 10.08.07 - 8:47 pm

Most Corporations are Idiots, Excerpt: The only reason that the big corporations in America are still in business is momentum. Eventually they will be gone, replaced by lighter, smarter, non-idiot corporations run by Japanese. Weblog: planck's constant, Tracked: 10.08.07 - 10:39 pm

Columbus Day..Booyah!… Not to ruffle too many feathers..(no pun intended) but …the so called “native populations” were far from blameless, innocent and peaceful. …… Weblog: Woman Honor Thyself, Tracked: 10/09/07 01:01 am

Who cares what it costs? Excerpt: Once you skip past the rule of law and that nations have borders, who cares what it will do to a budget to provide services to illegal aliens? Certainly not the open border ninnies... Weblog: Mark My Words, Tracked: 10.09.07 - 3:13 am

Yabba Dabba Doo – Fred Joins the Debate, Excerpt: Fred Thompson needs to win the Michigan Debate…by a country mile. Weblog: AZAMATTEROFACT, Tracked: 10.09.07 - 3:24 am

Tuesday Videos: including a Blue Angels tribute…. First, in honor of the Blue Angels who did get to Fly over Fleet Week in San Francisco, here is some Van Halen. It featues the old A-4s not the current F-18s, But I saw them fly those planes 3 times in the early 80s and they were no less th… Weblog: Leaning Straight Up, Tracked: 10/09/07 4:30 am

What are we thinking? Excerpt: Israel's wary of new peace talks, who can blame them. What has peace talks gotten them in recent years? Israeli opposition leaders are stepping up their criticism in the face of the first real negotiations with the Palestinians in nearly Weblog: Right Truth Tracked: 10.09.07 - 11:04 am

Soldier Son is a Short Timer, Excerpt: I got to talk online with my Soldier Son earlier today. Its the first time I’ve been able to talk with him on the computer in about a month. His computer has been out of whack and he finally got it back up and running. I wonder how people stood ... Weblog: Blue Star Chronicles, Tracked: 10.09.07 - 5:24 pm

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Beginning to Crack (video)… …not faring well may be a preview of her farewell, Listen to Clinton’s heated exchange over Iran in Video …… Weblog: Blog at MoreWhat.com 10/09/07 8:20 pm

ABC Alerts Osama bin Laden Compatriots and al-Qaed, Excerpt: The New York Sun’s Eli Lake is reporting this morning that al-Qaeda’s intranet communications system has been shut down - or more likely moved - following an report by ABC News that revealed the fact that American intelligence had penetrated and was ... Weblog: Blue Star Chronicles, Tracked: 10.09.07 - 8:44 pm

He Dropped His Drawers for the Freedumb Run, Excerpt: The remarkable thing about running through downtown Miami at lunch hour in nothing but Nikes and a red, white and blue thong is how many people don’t notice. They were talking on their phones; shuffling documents; concentrating on walking. Weblog: Blue Star Chronicles, Tracked: 10.09.07 - 9:20 pm

Democrats Disenfranchise Voters Again… Excerpt: As if it wasn’t bad enough that the Democratic party has turned Florida into an ATM machine, they are now not only doing the same to Michigan but even worse. We’ll take your money they say but don’t expect to be able to vote for us … Weblog: Stuck On Stupid, 10/10/07 3:29 am.

Bad news for Gore and the Global Warming alarmists, Excerpt: The UK has a few inconvenient rules regarding An Inconvenient truth… The UK is starting to show more sense than the US where Al Gore and his movie are concerned. Nothing symbolizes the holy writ of Global Warming better then An Inconvenient Truth. Schools must warn of Gore climate film bias Scho Weblog: Leaning Straight Up, Tracked: 10/10/07 4:26 am

The Debate: Fred! was solid, Matthews unhinged… What is it with Chris Matthews, and why do they keep letting him moderate? Ever debate for the right wingers he hosts he has to waste our time taking shots at the candidates and trying to attack their answers instead of just letting them live or … Weblog: Leaning Straight Up, Tracked: 10/10/07 4:47 am

Gore poised to win Nobel Peace Prize, but his real prize still waits - Excerpt: I've been predicting this for a year now, and the moment is upon us. I note that the article makes a lot of the same predictions I have been making. Weblog: Leaning Straight Up, Tracked: 10/10/07 5:59 am

No comments:

Post a Comment