NIST: Improved Facial Recognition Technology Promotes More Effective Border Security

December 3, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

Experts said this process can be easily implemented with existing facial recognition technology.

Travelers entering the U.S. have their pictures taken and their fingerprints collected digitally as part of the U.S.-VISIT program implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Facial recognition systems then check the photo against a database of known or suspected criminals.

A 2007 NIST study of facial images collected at border entry points, however, found that the captured facial images were not as clear and useful for automated recognition as they could be.

In usability and human factors research performed for U.S.-VISIT, NIST's Mary Theofanos and her colleagues sought simple ways to obtain better facial images in often hectic real-world conditions without having to deploy new technology. The NIST researchers first visited and observed a DHS border entry point at Dulles Airport in the Washington, D.C. area to see the facial-image capturing process.

As a result of these observations, researchers identified and shared with U.S.-VISIT a number of steps to take for acquiring better facial images. The report recommends that operators should adjust camera settings to ensure the subject comes into sharp focus and suggests using a traditional-looking camera in facial-recognition systems so that individuals could clearly recognize the camera and look into it.

Following the Dulles site visit, researchers conducted a study that adopted these steps, taking facial images of 300 participants while mimicking the real-world conditions of a border entry point. In these tests, 100% of the images fully captured the participant's face. All of the participants faced the camera, and the researchers found additional improvements by using a graphical overlay to the camera display in order to better position the camera.

NIST researchers believe these steps will improve the performance of facial recognition systems in real-world settings using existing technology. A follow-up study is underway in which researchers are incorporating the graphical overlay into the workflow of camera operators.

U.S.-VISIT and NIST work together on an ongoing basis to improve processes and technology.

Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).