If you know someone who's not yet been taken aback by the ever growing police surveillance complex, show 'em this.
LAW enforcement agencies are seeking scientists to develop an artificial nose that can detect the smell of fear as terrorists pass through security at airports.
The US Department of Homeland Security is advertising for specialists to devise airport scanners that will sniff out “deceptive individuals”.
[...]
Homeland Security wants a device that automatically compares odours with scents collected from crime scenes and held in a “smell bank” which, like DNA or fingerprints, could be used in court.
(Article continues below)
Last week officials said they only wanted to explore the
possibilities but scientists are already predicting that it
is only a matter of time before police will be able to sniff
out crime artificially.
One bright spot for scent libertarians: the Times says "Lopez's
Glow range and Chanel No 5" mask natural smells and confuse
detector dogs, so they'll likely prove a large tripping point
in the development of such a thing as an artificial nose.
It also says the nose could theoretically detect the smells of certain diseases or disorders, like cancer or depression.
Always a double-edged sword, this tech-knowledge of our's. *sigh*
