DHS is currently collecting human odor samples and beginning preliminary work to uncover indicators that could be used against potential criminals. Essentially, they believe that an odor may not only be unique to a particular individual, but can also a "useful indicator of certain human behaviors." This research has a foundation in recent studies that have used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze organic compounds in human sweat. These studies have indicated that there may very well be marker compounds in human sweat that can be used to identify individuals, and that these "odor fingerprints" can change over time for as yet unknown reasons.

Naturally, civil liberties advocates (especially the smelly ones) are taking issue with this research, claiming that the department had "misplaced priorities."

"The history of DHS' deployment of these technologies has been one colossal failure after another," he said. "There is no lie detector. This research has been a long, meandering journey, which has taken us down one blind alley after another."

Personally, I would have to agree with the ACLU on this one. I'm no scientist, but I would imagine that there are too many variables like diet and scented perfumes/creams that could result in inconsistencies. It seems like less of an exact science than other biometric technologies. [UPI]

Allow me to repeat myself. No good can come of this.

The Agile Lie Detector uses voice stress analysis to judge a speaker's words in real time. And while you admire the 3D spectrograph with no real clue what it means, a simple "lie meter" will indicate just how much your kids really like your chili, your mom didn't mind changing your diapers or your wife...well...that woman is a saint just to be with you. Maybe you DON'T want to know if she's just in it for the chili. Maybe you should just take her smile for what it is, a smile, and be thankful it's there at all.

Besides, I already know that loved ones are telling me the truth. Or at least that's the one little lie I allow myself. [Agile Lie Detector via TUAW]

It's your $49.95 a year, but we're thinking it'll be another decade or two before voice stress analysis can absolutely detect if someone is lying to you. This thing could cause more problems than it solves. There's good reason why this technology is not admissible in court. The video on the company's website is quite entertaining, though, catching old Slick Willie in a lie about Monica Lewinsky. – Charlie White

Product Page [KishKish, via TRFJ]

As she feeds you some easy calibration questions—what are our children's names—you'll be wishing this device didn't strap your hand tightly to prevent any last second fidgets. Good luck gentlemen.

Shocking Lie Detector [igadget via Me, My Coke & I]

I was inspired by talks by Mindfest panelists Karen Wilkinson and Mike Petrich who talked about using this type of sensor. I've also found out that the Media Lab at MIT has a program called the Affective Computing Research Project that also uses this sensor.

So you re saying that if I go to MIT I get to play with Legos? Sign me up!

Galvanic Skin Response Sensor [Via Medgadget]

There are two ways to describe the DeFIBulator: a portable lie detector, if you're feeling sensational, or a portable tension detector, if you're feeling honest. Developed in Singapore, it purports to measure varying degrees of vibration in someone's voice to 65% accuracy. In case that number still doesn't convince you this is meant to be a party trick, maybe this bit on its usage will:

To train the DeFIBulator to the human voice, ask your subject 3 yes/no questions and then record the voice to establish a baseline. Then ask the real yes/no questions and watch the figure on the screen. Demonochio s nose will grow and his horns will appear. The greater the tension in the voice, the longer his nose and horns will be.

At $49.95, it's not a cheap party trick either, but there's got to be someone out there who'll want it. Bueller? Bueller?

de-FIB-ulator [Gadget Universe, via SCI FI Tech ]

Leave it to the Israelis to come up with a new way to check for terrorists. In addition to dropping your lighters in baskets and being scanned for knives, next time you fly you may be subjected to a walk-through airport lie detector test from the GK-1 voice analyzer. Already tested in Russia, you'll be given a headset and asked several yes or no questions which will determine if you are indeed planning something "illegal." Of course, that could be stealing a pack of gum from the news stand, but we really shouldn't take chances, should we?

"In our trial, 500 passengers went through the test, and then each was subjected to full traditional searches," said chief executive officer Amir Liberman. "The one person found to be planning something illegal was the one who failed our test."

The GK-1 should run somewhere between $10,000-$30,000 and the claim is this test is "minimally invasive" with almost no physical contact required. Well, thank God for that!

Lie detectors - the last word in airline security? [Reuters]