What is behaviour detection and analysis?
Behaviour detection is a method for risk management in the context of border and aviation security. Behaviour detection methods focus on verbal and non-verbal behaviour to identify persons who may pose a threat to security. The aim is by looking at behaviour to detect dangerous passengers and criminals pretending to be law-abiding travellers and trying to deceive border guards and other security personnel about their intentions. All behaviour detection methods struggle with the challenge of how to link behaviour to emotions and emotions to intent in particular. Behaviour Detection and Analysis (BDA) examines the value of behaviour detection and how behaviour detection approaches are used by border police forces in Europe. The study is also interested in behaviour analysis and detection technological tools in development and the social impact of such technology.
Why study behaviour detection?
During the past fifteen years, the European Union invested efforts and resources in improving the security of the EU’s external borders. We explore the scientific value of behaviour detection approaches and to what extent behaviour detection can be systematised, reproduced, and studied. The assessment of behavioural detection approaches in the context of law enforcement remains challenging. There is no strong evidence that behaviour detection is effective in the prevention of terrorist attacks and for border security in more general. It is also a sensitive issue, in particular the development of technology based on the science of behaviour detection.
The use of behaviour detection in the context of border management should not be considered independently of other tools. The wider context, in which behaviour detection approaches develop, includes the increased use of biometrics, surveillance, and facial recognition for identification purposes (including outside of the framework of law enforcement), the use of machine learning and big data.
Where is behaviour detection and analysis used?
Behaviour detection by human officers is used by border police forces in Europe. Airports, maritime ports and land border crossings are important environments where it is applied. The aim is to identify ‘abnormal’ behaviour displayed by individuals with criminal intent and route them toward additional screening.
There are very few studies on the use of behaviour detection methods in the context of border security. Outside of the field of law enforcement, behaviour and emotion detection is used in different areas including in business, education, health, etc.
