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FBI To Spend $1B Expanding Fingerprint Database

Posted by kdawson on from the lot-of-iris-scans dept.

mytrip and other readers alerted us to news that the FBI is about to announce the awarding of a $1B, 10-year contract to expand its fingerprint database to incorporate other biometrics — palm prints, iris scans, scars, tattoos, possibly facial shape — "Whatever the biometric that comes down the road, we need to be able to plug that in and play," an FBI spokesman is quoted. Barry Steinhardt of the ACLU sounded the cautionary note: "This had started out being a program to track or identify criminals. Now we're talking about large swaths of the population — workers, volunteers in youth programs. Eventually, it's going to be everybody."

2 of 159 comments (clear)

  1. If you've done nothing wrong by yada21 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If you've done nothing wrong ,you have nothing to fear. Just so long as they don't redifine what's wrong, with retro-active effect.

    --
    I will have a sig when the market demands it.
  2. Is it useful? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    There are numerous way around these methods of identification:

    palm prints - can be removed in an acid bath and can be faked with latex or surgical silicone. Even systems that incorporate a variation on live finger detection can be fooled.

    iris scans - Can be changed through the use of contact lenses.

    Scars - a difficult one, but plastic surgury, make-up and latex can make them vanish or even create temporary ones.

    Tattoos - Laser surgury can remove them, they can also be altered beyond recognition by professionals.

    Possibly facial shape - can be altered through a variety of techniques

    Sure, it would identify the average US citizen, but it would be useless against organised crime and terrorism.