article_snippet: Through a program called Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques, or SPOT, TSA TSA employs thousands of "behavior detection officers" who scrutinize travelers to look for signs of "mal-intent" in airport screening areas.
article_snippet: "behavior detection officers" who scrutinize travelers to look for signs of "mal-intent" in airport screening areas typically spend less than 30 seconds scanning an average passenger for over 90 behaviors the TSA associates with stress, fear or deception.
article_snippet: When "behavior detection officers" who scrutinize travelers to look for signs of "mal-intent" in airport screening areas perceive clusters of such behaviors in any given individual, "behavior detection officers" who scrutinize travelers to look for signs of "mal-intent" in airport screening areas refer that person for secondary inspection and questioning.
article_snippet: a program called Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques, or SPOT relies on theories about "micro-expressions," involuntary facial expressions that supposedly appear for milliseconds despite one's efforts to conceal them.
article_snippet: Behavior detection officers look for such micro-expressions while scanning passengers' faces or engaging in casual conversation with Behavior detection officers.
highlights_snippet: TSA's SPOT program screens passengers for "micro-expressions" to determine if a person is suspicious .
  