US | airport security New Focus of Airport Safety: Your Smile Officers watch passengers' facial expressions in new security program By Heather McPherson Posted Aug 17, 2007 2:12 PM CDT Copied Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff speaks during a news conference at Washington's Reagan National Airport, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, to announce new international flight screening procedures. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) (Associated Press) Put on a brave face the next time you're at the airport; your expression might be under scrutiny. New security programs at more than a dozen airports are using undercover personnel who watch passengers' faces for indications of criminality. When trying to deceive others, a criminal still exhibits flashes of fear or scorn that officers are being trained to detect. So-called "behavior detection officers" work as a pair: one of them will approach a suspect while the other watches his or her body language and facial expressions. Homeland Security has high hopes for the program, which is based on a longstanding Israeli operation. Read These Next Defense officials react to Hegseth's Quantico meeting. Colorado wants to give 'peace of mind' on Hunter S. Thompson. Turns out life on the California coast isn't always breezy. Hiker lost for days in Idaho had no pants or shoes. Report an error