Each day, forensic artists work with victims and eyewitnesses to exploit an assailant’s most visible asset – their face. Whether using traditional methods, or a computer software program, these dedicated artists provide facial composites to law enforcement with the hope they will lead to an identification.
Now, investigators have a new high-tech tool to add to their forensic facial imaging toolbox – facial recognition. These powerful software programs rely on high-speed mathematical algorithms to quickly examine and sort through an innumerable amount of photographs hoping to match them to the target image. A list of probable candidates is then forwarded to investigators for further follow up.
Surveillance photographs, still images and composite sketches are but just a few of the images that can be fed into these systems. With the proliferation of cell phone cameras, private and governmental surveillance camera systems, as well as other image capture devices, law enforcement are relying on these images more than ever before.
One consistent problem is that many facial photographs are taken from a variety of angles. Facial recognition software works best when the image is positioned in a frontal pose. Without the correct pose, investigators are unlikely to obtain a match. Using a forensic artist or photo-imaging software program to ‘correct’ the pose could lead to facial features becoming further distorted.
SketchCop Solutions long ago recognized this problem and sought to find a solution. It wasn’t long before we were introduced to Animetrics, Inc., a New Hampshire-based company that specializes in developing facial biometric software solutions used by law enforcement, military and other government clients.
One of their products, ForensicaGPS is a pose correction software that corrects and enhances images by creating a 3-D model from a 2-D image. This allows for the pose to be corrected and matched to the target image by 1-to-1 facial comparison, or to be made ‘ID ready’ for use with facial recognition software.
With the welcomed addition of ForensicGPS to our lineup of facial imaging solutions, SketchCop Solutions went from being, Law Enforcement’ Source for Facial Imaging and Identification to Law Enforcement’s Source for Facial Imaging and Biometric Identification.
For more information about ForensicaGPS, please visit: http://c17736.sgvps.net/~sketchsf/forensicagps/
Be sure and look at our other facial imaging solutions to find the proper fit for your agency.
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