Fingertip analyzer could thwart subway bombers

Transportation contractor Cubic Corp. and GE Security have teamed up to develop a security system that they say could help prevent terrorist bomb attacks in subways. The system relies on a button included on a ticket vending machine, which scans the purchaser's fingers for traces of explosives. The scanner could also be integrated into turnstiles, so that transit cards would be scanned for explosive substances as they're swiped. While it sounds somewhat plausible, we're a little wary about the program's chances for success. Cubic, it turns out, is the company that built New York's MetroCard system, and if this is as reliable as that -- anyone who has had to endure an endless cycle of  "Swipe Again Here" prompts knows what we mean -- we don't stand a chance.

[Dave @ Mar 10th 2006 3:46AM]

Who says the person carrying a bomb in their backpack is the same one who put it together? Therefore what kind of traces would they have on them? I imagine that the bomber would only need to actually handle the device when ready to set it off (assuming a manual trigger).

[Frank @ Mar 10th 2006 3:53AM]

GREAT! ...are we to touch this scanner?

The Korea Consumer Protection Board released a report this week after conducting an examination about bacteria contamination on 120 items at public facilities which people commonly touch with their hands in Seoul and nearby cities.

"Hot List" of bacteria infested items:

1. Shopping cart handles - 1100 CFU* per 10 sq cm
2. Internet caf?omputer mouse - 690
3. Bus hand straps - 380
4. Public toilet handles and door knobs - 340.
5. Lift buttons at 130
6. Train hand straps - 86

* CFU, (bacteria) colony forming units

Could we see a new number one in NYC?

See:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/02/15/1139890812017.html

[Vilas Pendse @ Mar 10th 2006 3:57AM]

This is pretty stupid - after all, Muslims wash their hands 5 times a day :P

[Moonshine @ Mar 10th 2006 4:20AM]

It should scan the developer's brain for traces of intelligence...

[Horloge Parlante @ Mar 10th 2006 4:59AM]

The four previous comments point out why this shouldn't happen (it won't work), all that's needed now is to discover how much Cubic Corp. and GE have donated to this politician or the other... If the system is ever installed, it will be for the wrong reasons.

[Kim Laughton @ Mar 10th 2006 5:41AM]

I can't believe everyone is so negative! These people are doing their best to rid the world of TERROR. So, it clearly won't prevent any bombs, but it shows they are trying really hard. That�s what counts isn't it?

[quickie @ Mar 10th 2006 7:31AM]

@Kim Laughton: No

[OddManOut @ Mar 10th 2006 7:50AM]

Don't forget fales positives. As we are seeing around the world, the various fringe/terror elements of the world are quite adept (and becomming more so all the time) at IMPROVISING their toys. So for this thing to really be effective it will have to look for a VERY wide array of chemicals....and for very minute quantities at that.

So I (in realative ignorance) suspect this thing will have so narrow a field of inspection (ie subtances its looking for) that it won't really offer much protection, or it will have such a wide field that it will be lighting up all the time just cause someones chewing bubble gum or wearing hairspray.

But, I agree, it's nice someone is trying to figure out how to stop/prevent tragedies and attrocities by means other than PREEMPTIVELY blowing people up...

[Surur @ Mar 10th 2006 8:43AM]

Wont somebody think of the children!!!

[pete @ Mar 10th 2006 9:46AM]

Not that a terrorist would think of wearing...gloves.

[mpmaley @ Mar 10th 2006 10:07AM]

Yay! Another false sense of security!

If terrorists want to hurt us, they will. If you think the government can protect us 100% then you need to wake up.

I just want to know how we're going to defeat terroristm once the government reaches the national debt and they have no more money to spend lol. (Congress is thinking of not extending hte limit).

[Travis Owens @ Mar 10th 2006 10:22AM]

@Kim Laughton: common sense 101 here, if something actually helps it's a good idea but this system is flawed for all kinds of obvous reasons, but mostly importantly because of "soap and water" !!!!

I don't want to pat them on the back for trying, I want to kick them in the pants because of the MASSIVE amount of my tax money which is going to be waste on implimenting a system that will never catch a single "bomber".

False security is worse that no security at all, even if it makes you "feel better".

[Chineyz @ Mar 10th 2006 10:59AM]

Ok so when the machine detects a terrorist what happens then..He blows himself up in the terminal instead.How about a way to block them from getting into the subway.I never understood that we protect the train and the plane but what about the airport and the train station.

[NY2Kx @ Mar 10th 2006 11:03AM]

Can't wait to see what happens on the 4th of july when the Million plus people who have been palying with firecrackers use the subway. System Shutdown! Red Alert!

[Dave @ Mar 10th 2006 11:36AM]

I hope this device is smarter than the cops that shot the wrong guy in the London bombing debacle.

[xzavier @ Mar 10th 2006 1:38PM]

It's all good! The government is going to have ALL of us fighting for FREEDOM against TERROR one day! Then we wont have to worry about those silly little subway bomb detectors anymore.... ESPECAILLY since we haven�t had a bombing since April 19th,1995

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-4752

[Zeus @ Mar 10th 2006 1:56PM]

Yeah, lets just surrender all of our personal liberties so we can reduce the

[Rob @ Mar 10th 2006 3:08PM]

Great idea, but what happens if the bomber already HAS a metrocard?

[Ellianth @ Mar 10th 2006 6:31PM]

All the bomber has to do is get a friend to put the bomb on him/ in his bag. Also, when they detect that he has a bomb what's stopping him from blowing up everyone else in the subway? This invention is stupid.

[bdkennedy1 @ Mar 10th 2006 7:06PM]

And it doesn't concern you that these people ridding the world of terror are idiots? These people are spending millions developing a system where the simpliest way to defeat it is to wash your hands.

"I can't believe everyone is so negative! These people are doing their best to rid the world of TERROR. So, it clearly won't prevent any bombs, but it shows they are trying really hard. That�s what counts isn't it?"

[John @ Mar 10th 2006 9:31PM]

Sounds to me like the system should also check for recently washed hands and flag that as suspicious too ;-)

[artur83 @ Mar 11th 2006 10:20AM]

" anyone who has had to endure an endless cycle of "Swipe Again Here" prompts knows what we mean "

if no one can get in the subway, then no one will be blown up in the subway seems to be their thinking.

[asasser @ Mar 11th 2006 7:43PM]

dumbing down the people for their prison camps

[akira @ Mar 12th 2006 12:30AM]

unless they...... bah buh bum.... WEAR GLOVES!



or if they..... if they.... hop the turnstyle



(2 bucks for this crap.. what a rip