FBI Introduces Iris Scan Technology
FBI celebrates 100 years of success in its fingerprint lab and introduces iris scan technology as a new effective option for identification. Iris technology is fast, accurate, and reduces safety risks for law enforcement officers. FBI hopes more states will adopt this technology.
Key Points
- Iris scan technology is a game-changer for law enforcement
- Can be used for instant background checks and identifying deceased victims
- Currently in use by federal law enforcement but only a few states have adopted it
- Privacy concerns and cost of units are potential barriers to wider adoption
Pros
- Iris scan technology is fast, accurate, and reduces safety risks for law enforcement officers
- Can be done from 3 feet away on a mobile device
- Helps in identifying suspects even with altered prints
- Can reject readings from prosthetic eyes or cosmetic contact lenses
Cons
- Only about 4 million irises on file compared to 162 million sets of fingerprints
- Privacy concerns may arise due to biometric data collection