PROFILING OF AIR PASSENGERS

1. RISK ASSESSMENT

The first step in profiling a traveller

is for the officer to know what he is looking for. Officers at each airport should develop a list of the potential violations that they might expect to find (risk assessment).
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 Depending on the airport, the

greatest risk could be narcotics, weapons, dutiable goods, etc. This list should be made by bringing together all officers working at the airport into a meeting for that purpose.

2. OBSERVATION
At a large airport, an officer should : supervise the unloading of passengers and cargo to ensure that no articles are delivered to ground crew, do a visual check of the interior when the last passenger has deplaned.
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3. METHOD

Customs officers must not wait for

travellers to come to them. Customs officers should begin their observation in the baggage claim area when passengers are waiting for their baggage to be delivered.
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4. SELECTION

Evaluate passengers against the

characteristics on the risk assessment list. The purpose of this evaluation is to identify those travellers who warrant searching and questioning.

INDICATORS

Alert from customs in country of

departure Flight from a source or transit country Flight has transited a source or transit country Flight has connected with flight from a source or transit country

INDICATORS

Scheduled flight, occasional, seasonal

:
timetables, delay, punctuality... Airline has a history of seizures from passengers, Airline company : on-board crew, status as regards co-operation with Customs, Handling/cleaning companies : on departure, at stopovers, on arrival.

INFORMATION FROM PASSENGER SERVICES PERSONNEL

The best selection method is observing travellers and talking with them. Difficulty : implementing this method Solution : to have an MOU with the airline company.
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INFORMATION FROM PASSENGER SERVICES PERSONNEL Type of information supplied : Advance Passenger Information (API) :

Surname, first name, sex, Flight identification, Scheduled departure date and time
of flight (+ time difference),
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 Arrival point and estimated time of

arrival,

Possible connection with another

flight, final destination with possible use of other means of transport (rent a car, train),

Registered luggage: (hold), hand

luggage

Duration of stay : return dates,

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INFORMATION FROM AIRLINE CREW Airline crews are a valuable source of information. They can provide information on the different stages of the flight :

Flight preparation During the flight Arrival of the aircraft : deplaning

of the passengers
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While the aircraft is being prepared for departure : suspicious behaviour of one or more persons engaged in :

cleaning the aircraft, loading equipment, food, drinks, handling checked-in luggage, loading of superfluous or unaskedfor equipment or items.
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During the flight : concerning certain identified passengers : Passenger has had little or nothing to eat over a long trip, Passenger requested pain killers or antacid tablets, Passenger appears sedated or unwell, aggressive, anxious to catch a connecting flight, Association with other passengers seated nearby, or further away.
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During the flight : concerning the aircraft itself : Body-carry paraphernalia found in passenger toilet, Discovery of indicators on/or under the passengers seat, or in the ashtray, or in the armrest (papers, pack of medication, unusual stains or odours).
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WHY IS THIS PERSON TRAVELLING ?

Sample questions for arriving passengers :

Where are you coming from ? Have you been anywhere else ? How long have you been away ? What is the reason for your journey ? Where do you live ? Are you travelling alone ? How much money do you have with you ?
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Questions for departing passengers :

Where are you going ? Are you going anywhere else? Are you travelling alone ? Where do you live ? What is the purpose of your
trip ? How often do you travel ? Will you be returning to this country ?
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Additional information obtained :

From further questioning,

different answers will take you down other lines of questioning. On the basis of what can be read from the passport, airline ticket, and luggage.

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 The earlier you can apply a profile

to a passenger, the greater the chance of intercepting a smuggling attempt. You may be able to detect a suspicious departing passenger and inform the destination countrys Customs services or put a lookout on him for when he returns.
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