The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is commemorating the 100th anniversary of its fingerprint lab, also known as the Biometric Services Section. As the global community celebrates this significant milestone, the FBI is looking towards the future of law enforcement as new advancements in science and technology continue to expand the capabilities of crime-fighting. Mobile devices attached to agents’ cellphones can now collect fingerprints at the scene, with millions of palm prints added to fingerprint databases. Facial recognition technology has also been instrumental in helping to identify suspects, and now, there is a new, effective option on the horizon – the iris scan.
According to Brian Griffith, the deputy assistant director in the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services lab, the iris scan technology provides a fast, accurate, and safe method for officers to identify potentially violent criminals. While there are currently about 162 million sets of fingerprints on file, there are only around 4 million irises recorded, making the iris scan a game-changer in the field of law enforcement.
The iris scan is not meant to replace fingerprints and other biometrics, but rather to supplement them. This technology has practical applications in state jails and prisons, where it has been used to prevent the erroneous release of inmates. Additionally, iris scanners are able to reject readings from prosthetic eyes or cosmetic contact lenses, ensuring that false data does not enter the database. The iris scan has the capability to identify deceased victims, perform instant background checks, and provide law enforcement officers with a suspect’s rap sheet at their fingertips.
Despite the potential benefits of iris scanning technology, there are obstacles to widespread adoption, such as the cost of the units and privacy concerns. However, the FBI is exercising caution to protect civil liberties while taking advantage of the new technology. Joseph Giacalone, a former NYPD sergeant and cold case investigator, emphasized that the future of iris scanning technology will depend on how it is weighed by privacy advocates and courts. It is expected that, over time, this technology will become more widely accepted in law enforcement.
The CJIS lab, where the iris scanning technology was demonstrated, is considered the “tip of the spear” for the FBI and law enforcement, playing a pivotal role in solving nationally significant criminal cases. The FBI is also encouraging more agencies to take advantage of its growing toolkit, particularly at a time when law enforcement staffing is down, and the workloads are higher.
In conclusion, the advancements in eye scanning technology represent an important step forward in the field of law enforcement. While there are challenges to navigate, the potential benefits of this technology in enhancing public safety and helping to solve criminal cases cannot be understated. As the FBI continues to look towards the future, we can expect to see further advancements that will aid law enforcement in fulfilling its mission of protecting and serving the public.