Mobile Biometric Device Designed To Assist Law Enforcement

  • Sep 05, 2008
Sagem Morpho Inc. introduced its third generation Morpho RapID handheld biometric device at the 2008 International Association for Identification (IAI) Conference.

The new “Morpho RapID 1100” integrates a digital camera to support facial recognition, a larger screen, a keyboard and enhanced wireless communication capabilities, all in a smaller more ergonomic unit.

“The primary feature that differentiates the Morpho RapID 1100 is its all-in-one design,” said Bernard Gautier, President and CEO of Sagem Morpho. “This smaller, lighter unit is fully functional as a stand-alone device holding its own watch list, without being physically connected to any other terminal or computer. This technology streamlines law enforcement and border control activity that requires near real-time identification of suspects on-site where they have been apprehended.”

Sagem Morpho designed the Morpho RapID line of mobile biometric devices to enable police officers and border patrol agents in the field to accurately identify suspects in real-time based on fingerprints and facial recognition information. Nearly 9,000 Morpho mobile biometric devices are now in use by police, immigration control, and border security worldwide including police departments in New York City, Milwaukee and Columbus, Ohio.

“We have re-engineered the Morpho RapID 1100 based on direct input from public safety officers who use this technology in the field every day,” Gautier said. “As a result, the RapID 1100 now offers more robust wireless communication options for faster and more reliable data transmission.”

The Morpho RapID 1100 is built on the Psion Teklogix iKon, a rugged handheld PDA highly resistant to dust and rain. Increased wireless communication options now include Wi-Fi, cellular and Bluetooth with GPS localization for rapid data transfer from any location.

A 500-ppi forensic-quality ruggedized scanner captures digital images of a suspect’s fingerprints. Using highly accurate Sagem Morpho Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) technology, these prints are instantly compared against an on-board watch list of up to 180,000 records, or transmitted wirelessly for automated identification against a centralized database. Mug shots can also be captured with the integrated 2-megapixel camera for facial recognition.

Search results are returned for review on the Morpho RapID 3.7-inch screen with customer defined data, such as mug shots, rap sheets, wants/warrants, etc. Fast positive identification with full reporting means an officer can assess risk on-site very quickly, without having to return to the station or even the police cruiser. The entire automated process can range from near real-time to less than three minutes, depending on such factors as information requested, communication and database size.

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