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Explore the latest in facial scanning technology with applications for identifying suspects in crowds. Learn about the challenges, development, and test results of the Biometric Optical Surveillance System (BOSS). Discover the privacy implications and call to action for policy establishment in the use of such systems.
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The BOSS Project: Recent Advances in Facial Scanning Adam C. Champion
BOSS Project • New York Times reported (Aug. 21, 2013) [1] • Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) tested Biometric Optical Surveillance System (BOSS) • Goal: identify persons of interest in crowd • E.g., terrorism suspects, criminals at large events • Customers: U.S. police departments • Originally: military (detect persons with IEDs)
Technical Challenges • BOSS faced the following challenges: • Distinguish person of interest in crowd at a distance • Various lighting conditions • Harder to scan a crowd than to scan an individual
BOSS Development • Electronic Warfare Associates. Inc. developed BOSS with U. of Louisville scientist • Two towers with infrared cameras, distance sensors • Compute 3D model of person’s face • Model compared with photos in databases … Criminal?
BOSS Test Results • DHS tested BOSS in a Washington state arena six times • 30 volunteers’ faces compared to 1000 criminals’ faces • Conclusion: police departments should not buy BOSS • Facial recognition accuracy degrades at larger distances • Takes ≥ 30 s to process images
Privacy Implications • The Times story heavily mentions privacy • Currently, there are no “rules” about how a BOSS-like system should be used • Could track people’s movements in public places • Civil libertarians argue for policy establishment • Public has accepted some surveillance in public places like airports
Thank You Questions and Comments?
References • C. Savage, “Facial Scanning is Making Gains in Surveillance”, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2013, https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/21/us/facial-scanning-is-making-gains-in-surveillance.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0