Biometric Facial Recognition Technology Helps Track Down Crime Suspect

Thanks to a biometric facial recognition system, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department in Washington State recently made an arrest that helped break up a local identity theft ring.

With the MorphoFace Investigate system from Sagem Morpho, the sheriff’s office identified the suspect by comparing a photo taken by an ATM to the department’s database of more than 350,000 mugshots.

“MorphoFace Investigate provided the evidence needed by a Superior Court Judge to determine probable cause and issue an arrest warrant,” said Eric Hess, Sagem Morpho product manager for biometrics. “This sets a new precedent in Pierce County for facial recognition biometrics.”

The sheriff’s department was the first law enforcement agency in the United States to deploy the company’s technology earlier this year.

In the pilot program, the sheriff’s department focused on the technology’s ability to help speed up the booking process by providing a secondary identification method. During booking, the department uses the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, also known as AFIS, to check if a suspect is in the criminal database. Fingerprint examiners then validate the results.

Adding MorphoFace Investigate technology for mugshot comparison allows staff to validate biometric IDs with a single examiner.

 “[MFI] eliminates 80 to 85 percent of the work in booking repeat offenders,” said Steve Wilkins, PCSD forensic investigations manager. “Within minutes, the criminal record can be updated.”

In September, the department used the technology to break open an alleged criminal ring that was stealing ATM cards and withdrawing money from the victims’ bank accounts.

Armed with only the grainy ATM photo taken of a suspect during one of the thefts, MorphoFace Investigate searched the database and returned two possible matches in less than 5 seconds.

Detectives then confirmed both matches were the same suspect with a history of prior identity theft offenses. With the facial biometric match and criminal history, the department had no problems receiving a search warrant to search the suspect’s residence. During the search, officers found evidence of identity theft and arrested the suspect, whose trial is pending.

“The nearly 95 percent success rate of accurately identifying suspects with the MFI system in Pierce County is impressive when you consider that some of the mug shots were more than 10 years old and that facial expressions run the gamut of emotions due to drugs alcohol, and illness not to mention the changes in facial hair,” Hess said. “Biometric facial recognition has evolved to where it has added a new dimension to evidence gathering and intelligence analysis as part of criminal investigations.”

About the Author

Brent Dirks is senior editor for Security Today and Campus Security Today magazines.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.