The Independent on Sunday, 13/01/2008, carried a story about the under-skin tagging of offenders:The electronic tagging device is injected into the upper arm. It measures 11mm by 1mm and is contained in a hermetically sealed glass capsule, covered by special plastic designed to bond with human tissue. The device uses a computer chip to store information such as a person’s identity, address and offending record, which can be scanned using an electromagnetic reader (the same technology currently used in pet implants). The device can be tracked using both radio frequency identification (RFID) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. RFID sensors can be placed both in the home, to monitor curfew orders, and in certain “forbidden zones” to bar a tagged individual from going near certain premises. When a tagged individual moves outside the range of RFID sensors, they could be tracked using GPS. “Forbidden zones” can also be set up by local authorities using GPS in addition to or instead of RFID sensors.
Fascinating possibilities, and risks, for those prone to kidnap!
Latest developments in security technology will be addressed in the Specifying Security Technology Course, 21-25 July 2008. For details, contact Janet.
