Facial Images National Database
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The Facial Images National Database (FIND) is a system currently in pilot phase, put forth by the National Policing Improvement Agency. The database is a collection of mugshots from both still and video image sources. It has also been designed to keep track of scars, tattoos, and similar markings on persons within the database to increase efficiency in identification. FIND will provide national access to images of individuals who have been arrested for a criminal offence, linking the image with the criminal data held on the Police National Computer.[1]
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[edit] Pilot
The pilot went live on 6 November 2006 and will now run until early October 2007, with Lancashire, West Yorkshire and Merseyside contributing and viewing images. Greater Manchester, North Wales, Devon and Cornwall, British Transport Police (BTP) North Eastern Region, as well as one of the Metropolitan Police specialist units and eBorders have read only access to the system.[1]
[edit] Facial Recognition
The forward plan for FIND includes adding facial recognition software (much like the United States' FERET database) to the system. Addition of this software would increase the system's efficiency. PITO's (Police Information Technology Organization) head of Biometrics, Geoff Whitaker has reported that facial recognition software is currently being evaluated to meet the needs of automated identification systems. Such systems have previously been implemented elsewhere, such as the United States' Super Bowl.
