Skeletal scans could be newest screening technique

Possible positive identigier // Source: fallingpixel.com

The idea was born when a scientists from Dayton, Ohio-based Wright State University scientist went online as his young daughters were preparing to go trick-or-treating and discovered that convicted sex offenders were living in his neighborhood.

What if there was a way positively to identify sex offenders as they arrived at theme parks and other venues populated by young children? Better yet, the scientist wondered, what if there was a way to recognize terrorists in disguise at airports or U.S. ports of entry?

The answer came quickly enough — skeletons. Virtually every person has a unique skeletal structure nearly impossible to alter. As a result, the Wright State Research Institute is developing a ground-breaking system that would scan the skeletal structures of people at airports, sports stadiums, theme parks, and other public places that could be vulnerable to terrorist attacks, child abductions, or other crimes. The images would then quickly be matched with potential suspects using a database of previously scanned skeletons.

Trying to recognize terrorists and other criminals through fingerprinting, facial-recognition technology, and scanning the retinas of the eye has limitations. Fingerprinting and retinal scans are intrusive contact technologies and require a subject’s cooperation. Facial recognition can be defeated with disguises, beards, or plastic surgery.

“But they can’t disguise their bones. That’s where we thought this technology has some merit,” said Phani Kidambi, a research engineer at the institute who is helping lead the effort. “Think about a scenario where the face doesn’t match, but the bones match,” Kidambi said. “That definitely is a person of extreme interest because it appears he’s tried to change his face.”

The adult skeleton has 206 bones. Size, shape, density, and joint structure make each skeleton slightly different. Throw in an extra lumbar vertebrae or extra rib — which some people have — as well as previously broken bones, implants, screws, and other identifying characteristics, and the signatures become even more individual. Also, the skeletal structural features are fairly stable throughout adulthood.

X-rays, gamma rays, or other forms of body scanning would be used to create a bone signature for each person. Wright State researchers are currently working on identifying key elements and measurements of the skeleton that differentiate one person from another.

“We also believe that you may not need an entire body scan,” said Kidambi. “Maybe just part of the body is sufficient.”

One option would be to focus on the clavicle — or collarbone — one