3-D Modeling Expected to Improve Facial Recognition Technology

Facial-recognition experts from Lockheed Martin and Animetrics are on the verge of creating partial, two-dimensional images of suspects pop out from computer screens which contain three-dimensional technology. 

Identifying suspects is difficult for security teams who depend on camera’s that only capture side-view’s or part’s of a person’s face, and can sometimes be too dark or blurry. With 3-D modeling, this will no longer be a problem.

Lockheed Martin is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland and is involved in the design, research, development, integration, manufacture and sustainment of advanced technological systems. Animetrics, which is headquartered in Conway, New Hampshire, is a head developer of “cloud-based web service facial search and retrieval applications” through the use of patented 2-D to 3-D technology. Together, they’re starting to develop systems capable providing 3-D images of suspects from security camera’s.

“Lockheed Martin’s experience in facial recognition software already deployed in today’s field, together with Animetrics’ 3-D modeling will greatly assist in our customer’s ability to solve facial identity cases,” said Bob Eastman, vice president of Information Systems for Lockheed Martin. 

Human operators will use a facial image comparison tool to scan results submitted by the automated facial-recognition tools, allowing them to eliminate and match images of suspects. 

“This is an important step in advancing biometric and facial-recognition technology,” said Eastman. “In the future, we hope to develop technologies that will not only model existing pictures in 3-D, but also collect images in 3-D.”

But that’s not all Lockheed Martin is doing to further the efficiency of security systems. Along with ZyGEM Corp., Lockheed Martin has developed a new DNA analysis system called RapI.D.,which is basically an entire laboratory on a single chip that quickens the DNA identification process.

“Our law enforcement, homeland security and defense communities face a significant challenge in how quickly they can confirm an individual’s identity,” said John Mears, director of Lockheed Martin Biometric Solutions. “Our goal with the RapI.D. sample-to-answer DNA analysis device is to transform today’s DNA identification process from one that takes a great deal of training, sophisticated equipment and and days or weeks to complete, into an affordable, on-site process that takes less than an hour.”

Through the use of more accurate facial recognition systems and faster DNA identification processes, law enforcement will be able to pinpoint suspects quickly and efficiently, enhancing overall security.