An examination of visual search success for transportation security officers and behavior detection officers

Abstract

This paper discusses ongoing research that seeks to better understand the core visual search skills and requirements of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs). The purpose of the first phase of research is to compare TSO and BDO visual search performance on a simple visual search task and to determine whether certain personality and demographic characteristics are related to search performance. The goal of the second phase of research is to identify measures and assessment devices that are more applicable to the visual search requirements of the BDO position. Methods and approaches used to answer key questions related to each phase of research are described, as are potential implications of the research.