Computerised Facial Recognition Systems: The Surrounding Legal Problems

Abstract

Computerised facial recognition systems have developed to the extent that they can compete with and aid human experts with cases of disputed identity. With the advent of CCTV, facial recognition has now become a tool for crime prevention and detection. As the use of such systems becomes more widespread, the legal system is now having to deal with the contentious issues surrounding the implementation of new and developing technologies.

"The central problem in face identification is how we build stable representations from exemplars that vary, both rigidly and non-rigidly, from instant to instant and from encounter to encounter."

Biometric analysis is based on measurable characteristics of the face, which may be used to recognise or identify an individual. Many technologies have been developed for person recognition and identity verification based on information from fingerprints, face analysis, voice, retina and iris recognition.

Keywords: facial recognition, computerised recognition, CCTV, identification