TSA Chief Says No Change in Screening Policy

Pistole: Clearly It's Invasive, Uncomfortable, But It Prevents Terrorist Attacks

Air travelers buoyed by President Barack Obama's request for his national security team to consider less intrusive airport screenings shouldn't expect anything different at airports soon. "No, we're not changing the policies," the head of the agency responsible for airport security said Sunday.


"It really comes down to what is that balance between privacy and security," said John Pistole of the Transportation Security Administration. The current threat level is too high to lessen the use of full body scans and intimate pat-downs that some passengers undergo at some airports, he said on CNN's "State of the Union."


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NYPD Iris Scan

NYPD Commences Use Of Iris Scans Of Suspects

Department Spending $24,000 Per Unit; Will Have 21 Around Cit

NEW YORK (AP) – Along with fingerprints and mug shots, the New York City Police Department is now taking photographs of the irises of crime suspects.
The NYPD says the images will be used to help avoid cases of mistaken identity. The process takes about five seconds. Every suspect will be scanned again using a handheld device shortly before they are arraigned to make sure the irises match.
Police say the software, handheld device and cameras cost about $23,800 each, and 21 systems will be used around the city.
Central booking in Manhattan started taking photos Monday. The devices will be in use in Brooklyn and the Bronx in the upcoming weeks, and later in Staten Island and Queens.
Police say the photos cause no damage to the eye.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


source:http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/11/15/nypd-commences-use-of-iris-scans-of-suspects/