September 25, 2008 6:11PM 

# DHS Fights Thought Crime 

By [Benjamin H. Friedman](https://www.cato.org/people/benjamin-friedman) 

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The Department of Homeland Security’s Directorate of Science and Technology is “[developing a system designed to detect ‘hostile thoughts’ in people walking through border posts, airports and public places](http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2008/09/precrime-detector-is-showing-p.html).” DHS says that it works. Fox News’ security columnist is [excited](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,426485,00.html). Feel safer?

![Fighting Pre-Crime in Minority Report](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/pubs_2x/public/download-remote-images/www.voidspace.org.uk/161490154905/minority-report.jpg?itok=0pdOkDxI) 

##### Related Tags 

[Defense and Foreign Policy](https://www.cato.org/defense-foreign-policy), [General](https://www.cato.org/general) 

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