SPOT Proves its Value at BWI
News & Happenings
August 2, 2007
On August 1, a TSA behavior detection officer (BDO) at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) was working in the ticketing area of the airport when he observed a man exhibiting suspicious behaviors in front of an airline ticket counter. The BDO immediately referred him to law enforcement who found him carrying a loaded gun and more than 30 rounds of ammunition. Airport police also discovered that he did not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon and arrested him.
The BDO was trained through the Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) Program – a key part of TSA's multi-layered approach to security. This incident illustrates the agency's focus on pushing security measures to all areas of transportation systems and identifying people who may have harmful intent before they get to secure areas. The behaviors this individual exhibited at BWI are similar to those a terrorist could show before an attack.
Begun in June 2003, SPOT - which focuses on behavior and not physical characteristics - is expected to be deployed to dozens of the nation's busiest airports. To date, there have been thousands of referrals to law enforcement officials and for additional screening by TSA through SPOT. More than 500 behavior detection officers are expected to be working in all modes of transportation by the end of 2008.
The SPOT program is utilized at BWI and other airports to identify individuals who exhibit behaviors that indicate high levels of stress, fear or deception. The program is a non-intrusive means of identifying potentially high-risk individuals and an example of TSA's philosophy of identifying dangerous people and not focusing solely on things. SPOT adds an element of unpredictability that will be easy for law-abiding passengers to navigate but difficult for terrorist to manipulate.
