What's That Smell?

DHS is looking into further studies around the viability of utilizing human body odor as the next biometric identifier.

The goal of the research is twofold. Firstly, DHS hopes to determine if odors can serve as an "indicator of deception" and secondly, to show support for the theory that each individual's scent is completely one-of-a-kind.

According to this Washington Times article, "Scientific research shows that so-called volatile organic compounds present in human sweat, saliva and urine can be analyzed using a technique known as gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry." Research has even shown that unique compound combinations in sweat -- a natural secretion for all human beings -- might differentiate one individual from another!

However, with such an erratic substance, challenges are inevitable:

"The reason for the variation in distinctiveness is unclear," Royal Society in London researchers said. More importantly, the odors of some people changed during the course of the study: "Not all subjects had consistent marker compounds over time, which might be due to physiological, dietary, or other changes."

Additionally, researchers still haven't determined the effects of "exogenous chemical contaminants" -- soaps, perfumes, colognes, cigarette smoke and other environmental elements that may alter or shield a person's natural odor. Obviously, there are many kinks to be worked out before real-world tests occur, and I have got stong feeling that "odor recognition" won't be an simple technology to get right. In any case, I am not holding my breath...wait, let me rethink that.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: Chicago's Quest For Perfect Municipal Surveillance

As previously discussed, since its launch in 2001, Chicago's Operation Virtual Shield and its network of public surveillance cameras has consistently been billed the most advanced deployment of intelligent video in the nation. This week, the city announced that as a result of recent increased funding the project is now linked to the city's 911 system, an integration that makes the grid unlike any other in the country.

With a $6 million grant from the DHS, Chicago's computer-aided dispatch emergency system can now see real-time video if there is a surveillance camera within 150 feet of a 911 call. It was officially deployed after a trial run in December, during which live video caught a petty thief sticking his hand into a Salvation Army kettle outside of a Macy's when a bystander called 911 to report the crime.

Nonetheless, the network still has its share of flaws and areas demanding improvement.

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications maintains that only about 95 percent of the network's cameras are working at any given time. This statistic was at the forefront of headlines just last week when a camera in the southeast Chicago was unable to capture footage of three teens were slain directly in front of it. While the camera's blue light was functioning, technicians thus far have been unsuccessful in downloading footage -- that is, if it even exists.

As this instance demonstrates, the importance of maintaining existing infrastructure while installing more advanced, integrated capabilities simultaneously is vital to the success of any surveillance grid. How effective are cameras at fighting crime when they aren't operating? Department spokesmen note that this neighborhood is not yet on the most updated wireless network, where a connection can be established to send an alert when the camera is down.

From my point of view, however, it’s tough to find fault with a city focusing its surveillance and emergency resources on actual crimes reported by citizens. I’ll take that over red-light cameras and anti-dog-pooping surveillance any day. And in a city that’s often been criticized for its slow response to 911 calls in many of its Chicago neighborhoods, the ability to instantly assess a potential emergency will almost certainly save lives -- if the systems are functioning properly.

Integrating all cameras to operate wirelessly, as well as updating all "record on sight" cameras to enable live monitoring at the city's operations center are crucial steps Chicago must take in order to continue its leadership in municipal surveillance. If that's not enough incentive, it seems likely that Mayor Daley's team will make the necessary improvements as an argument in favor of the city's preparedness to host the 2016 Olympics.

DHS Privacy Workshop Delivers Best Practices

As sophisticated surveillance grids continue to pop up nationwide, it was only a matter of time before a group of experts convened to discuss the trajectory of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) technology and explore best practices when installing the technology. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hosted its "CCTV: Developing Privacy Best Practices Workshop" over a year ago, only recently did the executive report summarizing the results of the conference surface.

As the Executive Summary states, the report serves as a best practices guide to avoid crossing privacy boundaries when deploying of CCTV systems as systems become more pervasive in both the private and public spheres. However, rather than advocate installation, the report serves as an objective guide to the various concerns to consider when first pondering the massive investment involved. Attending academics, researchers and government officials deliberated the importance of ensuring safeguards and civil liberties prior to deployment:

"These resources may be useful in helping government agencies build privacy and civil liberties protections into the design and implementation of a CCTV program. Failure to address privacy and civil liberties can undermine public support for the use of CCTV and erode confidence in the government's ability to protect privacy and civil liberties while protecting the Homeland."

Six panels ranging from an in-depth look at CCTV technologies being used today to general international surveillance practices culminated in suggestions on how to comply with major concerns based on the Fair Information Practices Principles (FIPPs), a set of principles that have long served as a framework for protecting privacy within the United States and abroad since 1973.

With the Obama administration taking office earlier this week, we won't know the specifics on his agenda to "Protect Critical Infrastructure", but the new President's stated objectives do include improving airline security, monitoring US ports, safeguarding public transportation and improving border security.

With a more sophisticated surveillance blanket covering the US, a best practices guide is certainly necessary to preserve individual privacy and civil liberties. In following through on his agenda action items, Obama's cabinet might want a copy of this 66-page manual delivered to the White House sooner rather than later.