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In the latest of our 90 Second Insight videos we clarify exactly what Random Search Selector devices are and how they are beneficially used. We know how difficult it is to make truly random, unbiased selections which is what our Random Search Selectors are for.
There are many situations and circumstances in which people are challenged to make truly random and unbiased selections. But all humans are very prone to making biassed choices, often unconsciously. What’s needed is a very simple way to avoid the possibility of biassed selection and that’s the role our Random Search Selectors fulfil.
Where Random Selections are Vital
As highlighted in our latest video, there are many circumstances in which unbiased selections are needed.
At airports, transport hubs and border check points; people, baggage and cargo items need to be security screened and checked. Items and travellers sometimes need to be randomly selected for more thorough inspection. Those responsible for making these selections can potentially face accusations of bias or prejudice so a device that carries out the selection for them overcomes this risk.
Many schools, colleges and educational establishments have sadly needed to beef up their security to combat the possibility of knives being carried onto their premises. Searching every student and every bag is obviously impossible. But randomly selecting subjects for a more thorough assessment is a powerful deterrent to knife carrying.
In their efforts to combat smuggling, customs and excise officers routinely need to randomly select packages and goods-in-transit for more detailed examination. Making these random, unbiased selections can be challenging but Random Search Selectors make it easy.
Manufacturing and production environments typically use random selection in their quality control processes. Items are randomly chosen from the production line, and assessed to make certain quality standards are maintained. Also, staff are sometimes subject to random selection to combat pilfering and theft from the workplace. Truly unbiased, random selection is clearly vital in these circumstances.
Warehouse suppliers and retail outlets also often need to randomly check the bags of employees when they leave the premises, to deter theft. Its essential that these selections are truly unbiassed and unaffected by prejudice or preconception.
Health and safety professionals often need to carry out spot-checks to make certain safety standards are adhered to. The possibility of being randomly selected encourages adherence to safety standards.
Transport and haulage businesses need to make various random selections. The example used in our latest video refers to randomly selecting fleet drivers to verifying they are legally compliant to drive. Further examples include the need to randomly select vehicles for maintenance and safety inspections along with randomly selecting vehicles for load checks.
Sports and music events are increasingly challenged to combat the possibility of terrorist attacks. Randomly selecting attendees for more thorough inspection serves to deter someone who might attempt to bring a device to an event.
Nightclubs, pubs, theatres and entertainment venues also often need to randomly select people for more thorough inspection to make certain they aren’t attempting to bring weapons or other concealed, prohibited items into their premises.
These examples demonstrate the widespread and disparate situations and circumstance in which effective and reliable random selections are essential.
How Our Random Search Selector Works
All of these diverse situations have one thing in common. Responsible individuals are charged with the task of making random selections. They may be selecting people, bags, items of luggage, vehicles or a wide variety of other things. Importantly, they always need to avoid the possibility of making biassed choices.
Our Random Search Selector is simply operated by pressing a big red button that prompts the device to immediately present either a ‘Pass’ or ‘Search’ instruction, based on how the switches are configured.
The Random Search Selector uses a randomising processor and a simple set of switches that effectively define the probability of a ‘Search’ prompt. The switches can be configured from 0.5% upwards.
If, for example, the switches are set to a percentage of 10% this equates to 1 in 10. As described in our video, the randomising processor returns either a ‘Pass’ or ‘Search’ result based on this 1 in 10 probability, for each press. If the switches were configured for a selection percentage of 50%, each time the big red button was pressed there would be a 1 in 2 chance of seeing either a ‘Pass’ or ‘Search’ result. If the switches were set to a selection percentage of just 0.5% then there would be a 1 in 200 chance of a ‘Search’ result for each button press.
Importantly, the decision regarding whether a subject or item should be inspected or searched, is no longer made by a human, its made by the randomising device so there is absolutely zero possibility of bias or prejudice influencing the decision.
Battery or Mains Powered
The Random Search Selector is available as either a battery powered or mains powered device. The battery powered option is ideal for mobile use. It uses 3 x AA size batteries that last for over 50,000 operations. An external 12V power supply can also be used.
The “Spot Checker” Random Search Selector is a battery powered device mounted on a useful, robust clipboard. This configuration is specifically designed for situations where portability is essential and the operator needs to make notes or refer to documentation.
The mains-powered Random Search Selector offers the useful option of connecting, via cable, to both a Remote Activation Button and/or a Remote Indicator.
The Remote Activation Button means the button can be conveniently located exactly where its needed while the connected device remains situated where the operator needs to see it. And the Remote Indicator, connected via cable, provides an additional presentation of the Random Search Selector result that might be usefully located in a security controller’s office, for example.
Remote Indicator for Mains Random Search Selector
High Flow Rate with Zero Bias
Those responsible for security and inspection, in a wide variety of settings, are often challenged with the need to maintain high rates of throughput while at the same time addressing increased need for robust security. And these demanding requirements must be met without the possibility of facing accusations of bias or prejudice. Our Random Search Selectors are super-easy to use and don’t require any specialist training. They can be quickly deployed to enable those in positions of responsibility to carry out their difficult work thoroughly and effectively without facing unpleasant accusations of bias or favouritism.
For more information on What is a Random Search Selector - 90 Second Insight talk to Insight Security