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GAO-17-608R 1 (2017-07-20)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaakzd0001 and id is 1 raw text is: G A U.S. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE 441 G St. N.W. Washington, DC 20548 July 20, 2017 The Honorable Bennie G. Thompson Ranking Member Committee on Homeland Security House of Representatives The Honorable Bonnie Watson Coleman Ranking Member Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security Committee on Homeland Security House of Representatives Aviation Security: TSA Does Not Have Valid Evidence Supporting Most of the Revised Behavioral Indicators Used in Its Behavior Detection Activities Congressional Requesters: Over the past 10 years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has employed thousands of trained behavior detection officers (BDO) to identify passengers exhibiting behaviors indicative of stress, fear, or deception at airport screening checkpoints. According to TSA, certain verbal and nonverbal cues and behaviors-TSA's behavioral indicators-may indicate mal-intent, such as the intent to carry out a terrorist attack.1 These behavioral indicators include, for example, assessing the way an individual swallows or the degree to which an individual's eyes are open. According to TSA, such indicators provide a means for identifying passengers who may pose a risk to aviation security and referring them for additional screening.2 TSA officials have reported that behavior detection methods are based on techniques that have been used by defense organizations and law enforcement agencies for years. However, we reported in November 2013 that available evidence did not support whether behavioral indicators can be used to identify persons who may pose a risk to aviation security.3 Specifically, we reported that TSA had not demonstrated that BDOs could consistently identify 1The exact wording and descriptions of the specific behavioral indicators are sensitive security information. The complete list of behavioral indicators is also sensitive, so in this report we only include selected examples that have been approved by TSA for public release. 2During referral screening, if passengers exhibit additional behaviors, or if other events occur, such as the discovery of a suspected fraudulent document, BDOs are to refer these passengers to a law enforcement officer for further investigation. 3GAO, Aviation Security. TSA Should Limit Future Funding for Behavior Detection Activities, GAO-1 4-159 (Washington, D.C.: Nov. 8, 2013). GAO-1 7-608R TSA Behavior Detection Page 1

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