Security Briefs - Oct. 3-Oct. 10
The Latest Headlines:
- Scientists Question Accuracy of Lie-Detector Tests
- FedEx Workers Hospitalized After Exposure to Powder
- Doctors Say Enhanced 911 Could Be a Lifesaver in a Disaster
- FedEx Workers Hospitalized After Exposure to Powder
Scientists Question Accuracy of Lie-Detector Tests
A report by a group of top scientists said that the evidence supporting the accuracy of the popular polygraph examination is not sufficient to use as a screening tool for security purposes."The federal government should not rely on polygraph examinations for screening prospective or current employees to identify spies or other national-security risks because the test results are too inaccurate when used this way," a release from the National Research Council said Tuesday.
Polygraph tests are widely used for security checks, not only by the government, but by various private firms, including trucking companies.
The polygraph, according to the group, often flags loyal employees as risks and passes potential risks without suspicion. Transport Topics
A NAME="story2">
FedEx Workers Hospitalized After Exposure to Powder
Two FedEx package handlers at the company's New Castle, Del. facility were taken to a local hospital Wednesday after being exposed to a white, powdery chemical from an envelope, the Wilmington (Del.) News Journal reported.The chemical spilled out of a plastic bag being shipped either to or from a DuPont Co. facility at about 8 a.m., the paper reported.
Officials said the substance was not anthrax or any other bioterrorist agent. The incident comes nearly one year to the date since the first anthrax mailings began being discovered.
The letter was being handled by the regular FedEx sorting line and did not have any hazardous materials paperwork, the paper reported. Transport Topics
A NAME="story3">
Doctors Say Enhanced 911 Could Be a Lifesaver in a Disaster
A conference of emergency room doctors said that the long-promised enhanced 911 services for wireless phones could save lives in a disaster, a release by the Intelligent Transportation Society of America said Monday.ITSA met with a group of doctors at the American College of Emergency Physicians' annual conference and reported on the progress being made in implementing the system, touted to allow emergency dispatchers to track and locate calls to 911 made from cell phones, the release said.
A report presented at the conference by both groups called for quick activation of the system because of its potential to save lives by allowing emergency services workers to reach victims of accidents, disasters and even terrorist attacks more quickly. Physicians said that the sooner victims reach the ER, the better the chance doctors can save their lives. Transport Topics