PC World
The FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) system is raising concerns among some privacy advocates.
Thanks to the FBI, the United States government will soon have a
nationwide system in place capable of monitoring and identifying
“persons of interest” virtually anywhere. The Next Generation Identification (NGI) system is designed to aid the FBI in tracking down and capturing criminals.
Fingerprints have been the primary unique identifier for law
enforcement agencies of all levels for a century. Even with billions of
samples on record, no two fingerprints have ever been found to be alike.
Fingerprints are just one unique identifier, though, and much of the
accumulated fingerprint data is not merged and easily accessible. NGI
will include voice recognition, iris and retina scan data, facial
recognition, DNA analysis, and more in an automated system designed to
help law enforcement identify and capture suspects more efficiently and
effectively.
NGI is designed to integrate with surveillance camera systems across
the country. An algorithm will be used to automatically scan
surveillance video and compare faces to criminal mugshots to alert
authorities when wanted suspects are identified. The FBI database will
also have the ability to identify unique scars or tattoos on potential
suspects.-[Full Article]
