Facial Recognition System Finds Application in Many Different Fields of Science and Technology, Including In Medicine, Finance, and Law

 

What is facial recognition? A facial recognition system is an artificial intelligent technology able to match a real human face in a picture, usually from a video footage or a database, against a pre-existing database of human faces, and works by identifying and measuring facial characteristics. The technology has rapidly been developed in the past decade to the point where it is now used in many different fields of science and technology, including in medicine, finance, and law. Although facial recognition has its limits, there are many benefits to implementing facial recognition systems in the workplace, especially for fraud prevention.

Facial recognition system reduces the time required for authentication by reducing the amount of wasted time processing potentially-tainted information. In the financial industry, for example, it reduces fraud by allowing banks to determine loan eligibility based on address, occupation, and so on instead of requiring a physical check with a third party, which takes more time. The same technology can be applied in law enforcement, reducing the time required for identification, which also reduces wasted resources in manpower, equipment, and investigation costs. By reducing the time required for authentication, facial recognition software also increases the security of a site, which can protect personnel from becoming victims of crime. In essence, facial recognition software reduces human error.

Law enforcement officers face very unique challenges when trying to identify criminals, especially those that hide behind masks. A facial recognition system would allow law enforcement agents to perform a more complete search, identifying physical features, hair, clothing, and distinguishing body odor. Also, facial recognition software would allow agents to determine age and gender, helping reduce officer stress, and helping them make more informed decisions while on duty. In some jurisdictions, a law enforcement agent must stop and identify an individual on the street, and in other locales, they must follow that person to a location, sometimes miles away.

However, there is a ban on the use of facial recognition system in some countries. In May 2021, Massachusetts, U.S., passed o state-wide restrictions of facial recognition as part of a sweeping police reform law.