Forensic Identification of People from Images and Video

Forensic examiners within FBI's forensic audio, video and image analysis unit (FAVIAU) perform person identification from image and video examinations, such as facial comparison, ear comparison, hand comparison, and height determination. The examiners currently perform these tasks without the assistance of automated biometric applications. Due to the high volume of casework that the FAVIAU handles, it is anticipated that automated biometrics can be added to the examination workflow to increase efficiency, as well as provide statistics and rates of probability that can be used in court. This paper will outline the current methods of facial and body comparisons, as well as height determinations, in order to demonstrate to those developing biometric systems the methods and needs of the FBI.