I have never mentioned bovine or NSA or toro caca.... Well, maybe the toro caca...

That being said the BDO program (regardless of what you say/think/want) is a valid program. It has resulted in several people being caught while exhibiting behaviors that are the same as someone trying to blow up a plane. This generates a quandry when people that are either confirmed or suspected terrorists are caught by the BDOs (I have no stats on that and if they exist I am quite certain that it would be SSI). Most of the time someone of that nature will NEVER make the news because they will do the snatch and grab and try to ferret out any cohorts or remaining pals before they can do something bad. I can't give you names/dates/anything of that nature, but I have seen the BDO program work, and it does work. Like other processes and procedures, it is not 100% perfect and never will be. I personally never think of 9/11 as an excuse for anything, I think it is and should be an inspiration to people to remember. I think that collectively we as a nation have gotten away from believeing that there are people out there that will do anything to hurt us, we have a very short attention span. Yes a lot of the measures taken by TSA are of a responsive nature and that is not the best way to do business, but the organization is moving forrward in its thinking. The WBI is a good example - whether you agree or disagree - it is a move to try and prevent some of the simpler ways of smuggling things onto a plane (illegal OR destructive). It is an indication that some research just as you asked for - preventative prior to actual application by the "bad" guys - is being done and employed by the organization. Not saying that things are perfect, we as an organization have plenty of room for improvement, but things are being researched to prevent "the next" anything from happening.