Priorities for Biometrics Research
The research, development, testing, and evaluation of biometric technologies at NIJ begins with finding out what practitioners need and culminates in commercialization of new tools and technologies to meet those needs.
Identified Operational Needs
NIJ has worked with several organizations to develop research priorities, including the following:
Confirming and securing the identity of individuals for:
- Court appearances.
- Inmate processing.
- Identification of visitors to any justice facility or educational institution.
- Confirmation of identification of those with multiple, false, and/or no identity documentation.
- Mortuary identification (especially in a critical incident).
- “Wants and warrants” verification.
- Sex offender tracking.
- Criminal history checks.
- Queries across criminal justice information system databases.
Collection of biometrics in field environments for:
- Improved officer safety in routine duties (e.g., traffic stops).
- Eliminating misidentification of subjects.
- Cost and time savings of reduced transportation and processing for identification.
- Fusion of biometric identifiers.
- Better performance for existing devices.
- Mobile latent image capture and transmission.
Identification of individuals from video and audio surveillance for:
- Prevention of unauthorized access to school campuses or courthouses.
- Identification of individuals in secure or controlled areas.
Setting Research Priorities Based on Practitioner Needs
NIJ works with several organizations to develop its biometric technology priorities.
The NIJ Biometrics Technology Working Group is comprised of 10 to 20 practitioners who meet several times a year and work with the Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Advisory Council to review and validate NIJ's planned and ongoing research and development activities.
NIJ also works with the National Tactical Officers Association, the nationally recognized leader in law enforcement information, networking, and training.
Learn more about:
Biometrics Across the Federal Government
NIJ participates in the Biometrics subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council, part of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The subcommittee shapes national efforts and coordinates with Federal agencies that have an interest in biometrics. The subcommittee is dedicated to finding the best ways to achieve realtime identification and tracking and to increase personal, corporate, and government security.
NIJ also works closely with the Technical Support Working Group—the national interagency research and development program for combating terrorism.