The Accuracy of Retina Scan in Law Enforcement

Unlike fingerprints, iris images are not left as physical evidence at crime scenes, and they can be captured either in person or digitally. This capability provides information to police that a suspect might refuse to provide, such as gang affiliation. The Department of Homeland Security uses iris identification at the border, touting it as a quick, non-contact process that provides a faster and more stable form of identification than fingerprints, which can be damaged to the point of unreliability.

One potential application of iris identification is searching against data from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which tracks outstanding warrants, sex offender status, and other information. As a result, correctional facilities can use iris identification to identify inmates during movement between facilities and before release. Incarcerated individuals are often required to submit biometric data, including iris scans, during the booking process.

In addition, some jurisdictions are providing officers with mobile iris recognition devices (like the MORIS, sold by BI2 Technologies), which can be used to identify individuals that officers interact with while carrying out their duties. Local police departments are also utilizing iris recognition in various ways, such as authorizing criminal justice agencies to enroll iris images with criminal records or append iris images to existing criminal records.

The FBI has been exploring the use of iris identification since 2013, incorporating it into its Next Generation Identification system. Iris scanning technology is primarily used to identify individuals, and while it is being deployed nationwide, news coverage and public discussion have not been as high-profile as with other biometric technologies.

Accuracy of retina scan