Big brother’s little helper
CCTV to spot concealed firearms:
For Loughborough University’s multi-environment deployable universal software application (Medusa, see PDF) project, CCTV footage of people carrying concealed firearms will be analyzed to identify characteristics associated with the behaviour of criminals (body stance, gait, movement and eye contact with cameras) before they commit a gun-related crime. This information will be used to develop a machine-learning system for behavioural interpretation. Armed with this data, the CCTV cameras will scan footage and match behavioural characteristics that indicate if an individual might be carrying a gun.
At first I thought it was odd that concealed carry was automatically thought to be criminal. Then I realized this is in England.
April 25th, 2006 at 12:02 am
England is the land of freedom.
April 25th, 2006 at 9:22 am
I have serious doubts this will work, and it sounds like grasping at straws. I can think of a few behavioral/dress cues that might be a giveaway:
* Wears oversized outer shirt
* Wears long jacket
* Wears vest
* Fanny pack
* Holds jacket/shirt closed in windy weather
* Often adjusting outer ‘covering’ to prevent riding up and printing
I also have my doubts that a bunch of software people, who have no experience carrying a weapon, would know what behaviors to even look for. Plus, this is also our behavior. I’m not sure criminals take so much care.
April 25th, 2006 at 11:25 am
“I also have my doubts that a bunch of software people, who have no experience carrying a weapon, would know what behaviors to even look for. Plus, this is also our behavior. I’m not sure criminals take so much care.”
Actually, I know quite a few people that work in IT/Software that carry concealed when applicable. Nerds are gun lovers too! đŸ˜€
April 25th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
I have serious doubts this will work, and it sounds like grasping at straws.
Doesn’t matter. Plenty of idiots will believe it CAN work, and they’ll implement it. Thousands of false positives won’t be enough to dissuade them, either. As long as they get an occasional random hit on someone that is carrying, they’ll feel justified that they’re saving mankind.
Next: Software that studies behaviors to determine when a shopper is considering buying a copy of Catcher In The Rye. You just wait.