In terms of police investigations and inspections, there is a trend toward making forensic tools accessible, particularly those that use biometrics.
In terms of police investigations and inspections, there is a trend toward making forensic tools accessible, particularly those that use biometrics. Professionals cannot deny the power of the Internet connected mobile devices they use for private purposes, to the extent that the French Minister of the Interior has used the expression “police 3.0” several times over the past few months. “In reality, giving mobile biometric systems to field agents can lead to significant time savings and improved efficiency,” says François-Xavier Fraisse, VP and GM, Criminal Justice and Public security Business Unit.
Algorithms in the field
Morpho has already deployed mobile terminals in the United States that can check an individual's identity and know in just a few seconds whether the individual's digital fingerprints match the prints of someone being sought by police. Eventually, it will be possible to conduct these checks using ordinary tablets or smartphones equipped with special apps. For authentication operations, particularly those carried out on borders, Morpho has developed mobile equipment that can read data stored on the smart card of a biometric passport and compare it against the data retrieved on site. “We have already supplied this kind of equipment to British and Australian police forces,” says François-Xavier Fraisse. But the heart of the technology is more forward thinking: the idea is to be able to use all the algorithmic power of Morpho solutions in a mobile setting, such as on the scene of a crime or offense. Objective: To provide useful information to investigators faster, without them first and always having to resort to biometrics experts. “The challenge is to increase both the efficiency of police in the field and the processing ability of experts, who will be freed from lower added value tasks,” explains François-Xavier Fraisse.
An investigative support tool
In the future, police in the field will have mobile tools, like tablets, that will allow them to transmit digital fingerprints directly to an information system (IS) from a photo they took on the crime scene. These prints will be automatically analyzed by the IS, which will even be able to send the most likely correspondence directly back to the investigators. This is an advancement made possible thanks to considerable improvements in Morpho algorithms, which were just released on the FBI's next generation system in the United States. “It will not constitute evidence, but it is an investigative support tool that can save precious time,” says François-Xavier Fraisse. “And, naturally, there's nothing to prevent biometrics experts from performing the analyses on these collected fi ngerprints, in laboratories.” This type of solution is completely in line with the current desire of the French Minister of the Interior, who has decided to focus on fi ghting minor acts of delinquency.
Toward customized solutions
“Customer needs may vary substantially, de pending on the country,” says François-Xavier Fraisse. It all depends on the legal framework, especially in terms of identity checks, as well as on the organization of police services, their degree of decentralization, and their priorities. “In all cases,” he concludes, “Morpho is now capable of deploying solutions. The algorithms are ready, as is the hardware equipment.”