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Facing up to the future of biometrics in surveillance applications

June 28, 2012
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Over the past few thousands of years, biometrics has expanded from capturing finger and handprints to using digital technology. Thanks to this innovation, many different types of biometric data are now available for identification. While many biometric technologies have begun to mature, the future of biometrics clearly lies in systems that recognize facial features.

Facial recognition technology has come a long way from the first semi-automated system in the 1960's. Given adequate image quality, modern systems can do amazing things, such as:

Although these technologies are quite futuristic, the future will bring further advancements in recognition technology. One new tool is a 3D dual-camera system that captures a face in three dimensions, eliminating the complexity of converting a two dimensional picture back and forth to a three dimensional face. While this technology is currently available in a self-contained access control unit, the future could bring arrays of cameras that can pull 3D faces out of a crowd, improving recognition.

Even with these advanced technologies, facial biometric technology still has a long way to go. Many areas still lack biometric systems, due to the cost of installing them. Multi-camera tracking systems like the one in use in London City airport that can identify security wait times are even rarer. While this problem will be alleviated over time, it will take a while for the technology to reach full penetration.

While more closed circuit TV systems are being installed, a significant problem for the technology is the limited quality of video that many of them capture. For example, London's system was unable to capture images of adequate quality to identify looters during that city's recent riots. One disappointing fact about London's system is that, in many ways, it represents the state of the art for a large scale face-recognizing surveillance network since it was recently upgraded for the 2012 Olympics. 1080p high-definition cameras and infrared cameras that can see in the dark are available but are rarely used in surveillance systems. Until they become more prevalent, face-identifying technology will remain imperfect.

The software behind the technology still needs work. In a perfect situation with clear, high resolution images of faces, recognition rates are quite high. In real world situations, such as videos of crowds or of moving people, the software breaks down. Simple things like makeup or variations in lighting can cause the algorithms to stumble. The future is likely to bring better recognition software that can more accurately simulate what the human eye and brain do.

Finally, the technology is likely to harm its own effectiveness as a law enforcement tool as popular understanding of its capabilities expands. Thanks to the "CSI Effect," juries have come to expect high levels of forensic evidence as a prerequisite to granting convictions. This technology remains imperfect and, due to the low penetration rate of high quality cameras, will remain so for the foreseeable future. At the same time, television programs and movies will show face-tracking systems doing impossible things. This will likely lead to juries refusing to convict criminals due to a lack of face matches.

Over time, these problems will be solved and there is no question that the face will remain the most effective biometric tool for the future. While there is a great deal of room for revolutionary change in the way that the technology works, the pace at which it will be installed will be slower due to the need for both software and hardware upgrades. Nevertheless, we can look forward to a day when our faces are our keys, and, at the same time, fear a day when we can be tracked wherever we go.

Also See:  [ The benefits and dowsides to CCTV systems ]
[ Today's amazing home security cameras ]
[ Pro & cons of red light traffic cameras ]

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