Wednesday 14 September 2011

Truth Detecting Camera

Technology and the way that it is reported is a great source of entertainment and always has been I guess since the days of that superb, and much lamented, BBC programme 'Tomorrow's World'. The problem is that much of what is reported and the way that it is done often leaves me rolling in the aisles and the news item on the 'truth camera' yesterday was a real rib-tickler.

Apparently scientists have perfected a camera which can detect whether or not the subject is lying. This technological breakthrough is based upon the heat image of the subject, but let's let the BBC tell us more in their own words:

"A sophisticated new camera system can detect lies just by watching our faces as we talk, experts say. The computerized system uses a simple video camera, a high-resolution thermal imaging sensor and a suite of algorithms. ... It successfully discriminates between truth and lies in about two-thirds of cases, said lead researcher Professor Hassan Ugail from Bradford University. ... We give our emotions away in our eye movements, dilated pupils, biting or pressing together our lips, wrinkling our noses, breathing heavily, swallowing, blinking and facial asymmetry. And these are just the visible signs seen by the camera. Even swelling blood vessels around our eyes betray us, and the thermal sensor spots them too."

So effective is this new camera that it is expected to be installed in airports and other places where would be terrorists gather. Let's hope they've factored in for consumate blushers, PMT 'hot flushers' (a very interesting 'woman's hour' on that a few years back) and make-up wearers. The reporter waxed lyrical about the advances and how the days of being able to lie were numbered - that's surely a worry for many in politics, the press and the Church!

Hopefully this will also herald more investigation into phrenology (or better still, physiognomy - I know a few people with eyes too close together and suspiciously large noses!).

So better start practising or else you'll be found out - science, and big brother, are watching:

Pax

1 comment:

Ray Barnes said...

As a life-long blusher (for any, or no reason at all), and with the not very pretty habit of perspiring profusely with any sort of embarassment, I don't stand a chance.
When they find a machine that reads minds I'll up sticks and return to my home planet!