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Research of Allan Turner
Homeland Security Comprehensive Assessment Model and Automated Video Security Technology Demonstration Project
The need to develop a robust risk/vulnerability assessment model and to acquire automated video security technology is a priority for homeland security. As a result, the Systems Support Division, Office of Grants and Training, DHS awarded grants to the National Domestic Preparedness Coalition to conduct field tests of the Homeland Security Comprehensive Assessment Model (HLS-CAM) in rural communities in Mississippi and New Hampshire. In addition, the System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders program partners evaluated CCTV technology and published a CCTV Technology Handbook in February 2006. The handbook provides a reference on current CCTV technologies, capabilities and limitations.
As a follow-up to these efforts, a project was initiated March 2006 at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia and funded by DHS to conduct an operational evaluation of both HLS-CAM and automated video systems. The objective of the project is to use a robust risk assessment model to assess a major urban university campus, utilize the findings to assist in strategically placing automated video surveillance technology, and evaluate how the technology is used under local operational conditions, the impact of the technology on operational policies and procedures, and if the technology effectively meets operational requirements.
Overall Project management is provided by DHS with operational program management provided by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston, South Carolina. HLS-CAM training and assessment is provided by the National Domestic Preparedness Coalition and video technology experts are provided by Scientific Research Corporation. Booze, Allen, Hamilton provides project evaluators. Emergency responder participants include the George Mason University Police Department and Safety Department.
The demonstration is a multi-phase process. During Phase 1 the HLS-CAM methodology will be used to identify and assess threats to the University and identify the University’s critical facilities, critical infrastructure, and events.
George Mason University participants with the assistance of HLS-CAM facilitators will then prioritize University critical infrastructure and key resources (CI/KR) using the HLS-CAM Criticality Assessment and the HLS-CAM M/D-SHARPP Matrix.
GMU responders, along with the HLS-CAM facilitators, and SRC/SPAWAR technical experts will review the prioritized list and select areas and facilities where automated video equipment would best serve the University.
During Phase II, evaluators will establish a baseline for current procedures in situations where the automated video surveillance would be applied. Technology will then be provided to participants along with training and maintenance support. The use of the technology will be monitored for approximately 60 to 90 days. During this time evaluators will monitor the application of the technology. At the end of the demonstration period evaluators will again examine operations to note any changes in baseline procedures after the introduction of the technology.
Publications highlighting lessons learned will be disseminated to emergency responders through the DHS publication process. A web based video will be developed allowing easy access to information by emergency responders nationwide. Particular emphasis will be placed on the effective application of the technology, performance of the technology under operational conditions, whether operational procedures remain the same, or if different combinations of procedures involving the technology emerge.
In addition, project results will be considered in identifying further technology development by Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology.
Multi-jurisdictional Technology Demonstration Project (Seattle, WA.)
Emergency responders nationwide identified the need to acquire adequate night vision/thermal imaging technology as a top priority. As a follow-up to technical reports published by the Department of Homeland Security, a project was initiated in multiple jurisdictions in the Seattle Washington area to conduct an operational evaluation of both night vision and thermal imaging technology. The objective of the project was to place the technology in the hands of emergency responders and evaluate how, when, and where, the devices were used under local operational conditions, the impact of the technology on operational policies and procedures, and if the devices effectively met operational requirements.
Overall Project management was provided by DHS with operational program management provided by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston, South Carolina. Night vision technology experts were provided by Scientific Research Corporation while Booze, Allen, Hamilton provided project evaluators. Emergency responder participants include the Seattle Washington Fire Department, Bainbridge Island, WA Fire and Police Departments, and Issaquah, WA Fire and Police Departments.
The demonstration was a multi-step process. Evaluators established a baseline for current procedures in situations where night vision/thermal imaging technology could be applied. Technology was then provided to participants along with training and maintenance support. The use of the technology was monitored for approximately 60 to 90 days. During this time evaluators monitored the application of the technology. At the end of the demonstration period evaluators again examined operations to note any changes in baseline procedures after the introduction of night vision/terminal imaging technology.
The project will be completed during 2006. Publications highlighting lessons learned and other results will be disseminated to emergency responders nationwide through the DHS publication process.
Biometrics in Prisons and Jails
A Research Summary
How should biometrics be applied in corrections? Which biometric technologies will function most effectively in a prison or jail environment? Is further development of existing biometric technologies necessary to meet the special needs of prisons and jails? These questions are being addressed by two ongoing projects sponsored by the Office of Science and Technology, National Institute of Justice, to demonstrate and evaluate biometric technologies in a correctional environment.
Biometrics, defined as the automated methods of recognizing a person based on physiological or behavioral characteristics, is a rapidly emerging technology field. Examples of biometric technologies are face recognition, fingerprint recognition, speaker recognition, hand geometry, finger geometry, iris recognition, and retina scan. The potential application of biometrics in corrections is of major interest to correctional administrators since identification and authentication are fundamental requirements for security in corrections.
The first project was multi-phase effort to identify and develop biometric technology to control inmate movement and enhance inmate accountability within a correctional facility. The first phase of the project developed the necessary software and systems integration to utilize biometric technology to establish a prototype inmate control and accountability system at the Naval Correctional Facility in Charleston, S.C. Several key sites were identified inside the Correctional Facility and biometrics was installed, demonstrated, evaluated, and the results published. Subsequent phases expanded biometrics to the entire Correctional Facility. The results will be utilized to develop a biometrics demonstration in a civilian jail or prison. The project is a cooperative effort between the National Institute of Justice and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston, S.C.
The second project was a joint effort between the Department of Defense Counterdrug Technology Development Program Office and the National Institute of Justice to define a facial recognition program plan. The design of this program plan utilized the results from the Facial Recognition Vendor Test 2000 completed in June 2000, which both agencies co-sponsored. Activities for this project included installation, testing, and demonstration of a facial recognition system in a jail environment.
In addition to developing and demonstrating the applicability of biometrics in a corrections environment, the results of the projects will assist local, state, and federal correctional agencies in the selection, installation, and utilization of appropriate biometric technologies.