Researchers Develop Scanners to ID Terrorists
Researchers with Wright State University are working to develop scanners that would identify terrorists and sex offenders from a distance by scanning skeletal features and matching the images against a database.
The new system could be used in airports, theme parks and sports stadiums, as well as other venues, to positively identify the skeletal structure of a criminal at up to 50 meters.
“Trying to recognize terrorists and other criminals through fingerprinting, facial-recognition technology, and scanning the retinas of the eye has limitations,” according to a university statement. “Fingerprinting and retinal scans are intrusive contact technologies and require a subject’s cooperation. Facial recognition can be defeated with disguises, beards or plastic surgery.”
However, skeletal structures can’t be as readily changed.
“But they can’t disguise their bones, said Phani Kidambi, a research engineer. “That’s where we thought this technology has some merit. Think about a scenario where the face doesn’t match, but the bones match. That definitely is a person of extreme interest because it appears he’s tried to change his face.”
The researchers say only a part of the body may need to be scanned to provide a positive match. The Intelligence Advanced Research Project Activity has invited the researchers to present their ideas at a conference in Washington, D.C.
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