Surveillance cameras

[Graham Toal]

: From: "Timothy C. May" <tcmay at netcom.com>

: Most American airports, especially those with international
: connections, routinely videotape all passengers. I can't cite a source
: for this, but I think it's common knowledge (not that this means its
: true).

: The recent film "The Pelican Brief" has this as a plot device, with a
: terrorist captured on tape on his departure to Paris.

: Paranoid note: Ear shapes are said to be a fairly unique
: characteristic, hard to disguise, and easy for computers to process (
: a line scan). This may mean the return of long hair. (No wonder

Biometric technology, unfortunately, is advancing too rapidly :-(
New Scientist this week ran a story on how the US is investing in a
new system which takes a 'heat print' of your face.  You can be sure
your face will go on file next time you enter the US through immigration.

They say that the IR photo of your face is much much harder to fool
even with cosmetic surgery.  I guess you'd have to implant popsicles under
your forehead or something :-(

G