Facial Images National Database
Encyclopedia
The Facial Images National Database (FIND) was a project managed by the National Policing Improvement Agency
. The database was a collection of mugshots both from still and from video image sources. It was also designed to keep track of scars, tattoos, and similar markings on persons within the database to increase efficiency in identification. It was intended that FIND would provide national access to images of individuals who have been arrested for a criminal offence, linking the image with the criminal data held on the Police National Computer
.
The pilot went live on 6 November 2006, with Lancashire, West Yorkshire and Merseyside contributing and viewing images. Greater Manchester, North Wales, Devon and Cornwall, British Transport Police (BTP) North Eastern Region, as well as one of the Metropolitan Police specialist units and eBorders had read only access to the system.
The forward plan for FIND included the addition of facial recognition software (much like the United States' FERET database
) to the system. Due to budget pressures, the project was cancelled in early 2008 but this decision was under review in October 2008.
National Policing Improvement Agency
The United Kingdom's National Policing Improvement Agency is a non-departmental public body established to support police by providing expertise in such areas as information technology, information sharing, and recruitment.-Background:...
. The database was a collection of mugshots both from still and from video image sources. It was also designed to keep track of scars, tattoos, and similar markings on persons within the database to increase efficiency in identification. It was intended that FIND would provide national access to images of individuals who have been arrested for a criminal offence, linking the image with the criminal data held on the Police National Computer
Police National Computer
The Police National Computer is a computer system used extensively by law enforcement organisations across the United Kingdom. It went live in 1974 and now consists of several databases available 24 hours a day, giving access to information of national and local significance.From October 2009, the...
.
The pilot went live on 6 November 2006, with Lancashire, West Yorkshire and Merseyside contributing and viewing images. Greater Manchester, North Wales, Devon and Cornwall, British Transport Police (BTP) North Eastern Region, as well as one of the Metropolitan Police specialist units and eBorders had read only access to the system.
The forward plan for FIND included the addition of facial recognition software (much like the United States' FERET database
FERET database
The FERET database is the de facto standard in facial recognition system evaluation. The Face Recognition Technology program is managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology . A database of facial imagery was collected between...
) to the system. Due to budget pressures, the project was cancelled in early 2008 but this decision was under review in October 2008.