An ex-Marine and ethical hacker has developed a high-tech Bluetooth signal sniffer to aid in the search for Nancy Guthrie, who is believed to have a pacemaker with Bluetooth connectivity. The device, attached to a Pima County Sheriff's helicopter, has a range of up to 800 feet. The hacker, David Kennedy, previously worked with pacemaker companies to test their security, ensuring they can't be drained or short-circuited. He created a software tool to detect Bluetooth low-energy devices, which can be amplified using signal boosters, high-gain antennas, and software-defined radios. Kennedy's testing revealed that a Bluetooth sniffer can be attached to a drone and scan for devices up to 800 feet away. He then contacted law enforcement and arranged for a colleague to assist in the search for the 84-year-old Nancy. Kennedy believes the sniffer could theoretically detect a Bluetooth-enabled pacemaker up to 5,000 feet away in a perfect scenario with no obstructions. However, real-world factors like walls and Nancy's position within the building reduce the sniffer's effectiveness. Kennedy's latest project is an app to track Nancy's Bluetooth device, which could potentially turn every phone into a scanning device, aiding in the search efforts.
