Briefs

By Audrey Hudson, THE WASHINGTON TIMES, September 7, 2006

The Homeland Security Department is using a dozen different data-mining systems to track terrorist and criminal activity, according to a study released yesterday by the agency's inspector general.

The technology is also being used to screen airplane cargo, but not to pre-screen passengers -- an experiment that was abandoned after strong opposition from the public and members of Congress.

The survey shows that 12 systems are used by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Intelligence and Analysis (OIA), Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

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