Current info on facial recognition effectiveness

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
FACIAL RECOGNITION SYSTEMS SUCCESSFUL AT COBB COUNTY ADULT DETENTION FACILITY

Marietta, August 18, 2004--

"In the four months that the system has been in use, it has not mistaken the identity of the inmate in question nor allowed an inmate to be released under a false identity."

On April 5, 2004, the Cobb County Sheriff�s Office deployed Facial Recognition technology to aid in the intake and release of prisoners at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. In a partnership with AWT, Inc. of Atlanta, GA, a leading integrator of Facial Recognition Biometric Security Solutions, the Cobb County Sheriff�s Office (CCSO) has implemented a new strategy to help ensure the positive identification of prisoners entering and exiting its 1,925-bed detention facility.

Since the introduction of these products four months ago, over 12,000 inmates have been enrolled in the system. The 3D facial images and biometric information on the inmates have been amassed using the Geometrix, Inc. FaceVisionTM System. This makes Cobb Countys database one of the largest 3D facial databases in the country. Implementing this database makes Cobb County a leader among technologically advanced law enforcement agencies and has also spurred interest in facial recognition technology by surrounding law enforcement agencies.

During installation, the Cobb County Sheriff�s Office realized that for the system to be up-to-date and completely comprehensive, immediate enrollment of the currently incarcerated inmates was necessary; almost as if they were being booked in for the first time. Every one of these inmates identities, as well as the identities of the new inmates that have been added over the past 4 months, were verified through the system prior to their being released from the Cobb County Adult Detention facility.

The jointly implemented and integrated AWT/Geometrix system has performed effectively each time an inmate was ready to be released. In the four months that the system has been in use, it has not mistaken the identity of the inmate in question nor allowed an inmate to be released under a false identity. While no system can be said to be totally foolproof, the Geometrix, Inc. FaceVisionTM facial recognition system has proved itself to be a valuable component for ensuring positive and accurate crosscheck and verification of identity. Sheriff Neil Warren commented that, This is new technology that has truly proven its worth as a component in a process that ensures the correct inmate is being released from custody.

AWT, Inc., along with their partner, Geometrix, Inc. (San Jose, CA), the 3D facial recognition product vendor, are confident that the success of the system at Cobb County will motivate other law enforcement agencies in Georgia, and the entire United States, to adopt 3D facial recognition technology. AWT founder and chairman, Lydia Kossman, stated, The installation of the system at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center (CCADC) is a huge step forward for law enforcement, biometric security solutions, and the citizens of Cobb County. We are extremely pleased with the performance of the system and appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Cobb County Sheriff's Office in this pioneering effort in the field of facial recognition biometrics.

"In the four months that the system has been in use, it has not mistaken the identity of the inmate in question nor allowed an inmate to be released under a false identity."

This could be nothing more than advertising hype. How many identity mistakes did they make in the four months preceding the use of facial recognition technology? The statistic given above is meaningless without some comparison to the record prior to the installation of the system, as well as some knowledge about what other methods are still in use to confirm inmate identity.

I disagree. It shows that during the period of its operation the technology worked completely. What happened before or after its use is not relevant. The only issue is whether this technology worked--and it did.

"In the four months that the system has been in use, it has not mistaken the identity of the inmate in question nor allowed an inmate to be released under a false identity."

Jeeze. No inmate has been released under a false identity. I would hope that no inmate would EVER be released under a false identity. There were no elephants found in the prison either, so perhaps this system should be marketed as an elephant deterrant.

Also, it has not mistaken the identity of the inmate in question. There are a few thousand inmates, all in the system. After FOUR MONTHS of being calibrated on all of them, it didn't screw up. That isn't too hard. Much harder would be to look at thousands of people each day and see if any of them are in the database.

Math Boy

Was it the system that was successful, or whatever other procedures are already in place to ID inmates? If I personally know Prisoner A because I've been guarding him for the last six months, FRS isn't going to convince me that he is anyone else. That was my point.

As a business person it's all good that the system works, but is it worth the money? Did it actually improve anything?

This is really the question casino's should be asking - how much of their high tech investment money is actually providing a return that justifies it's cost?

Math Boy is right to, working in a controlled environment is not the same as a live casino.

The point is accuracy, not the other factor mentioned. I get caught all the time while have never seen anyone picked out by FRS who was not counting.

Like other people have said, the casinos have a very sophisticated facial recognision system. You have a face and they recognize it.

Math Boy

counting cards in a casino...FRS plays zero role. Most people who are caught by FRS have already been made using other means.

Both above wonder if FRS is the one catching me. Well guess what? I have had them refer to me by other of my aliases on many occasions. Most likely the only way they would get that is by FRS info under other names. They may catch me counting on some occasions but they would not have all the other info they have. FRS is dangerous and other tactics must be added to get by the FRS. We must assume that the FRS is excellent when playing to make the most of our continuing to play. Those claiming that FRS is probably not the factor catching people have no basis or evidence for that statement just their opinion. Making such statements when there is no basis in fact adversely affects others who wrongly assume such is true. These folks are making statements they cannot prove. Since we are not behind the scenes, we must assume FRS is effective and err, if we must, on the side of safety. To assume that FRS is not effective is a VERY expensive, needless, and incredibly stupid mistake!

Why did the casino decide to lock the FRS on you? Most likely one of two reasons...

1. Someone in the pit recognized you and called surveillence to see if they can find a match...or...

2. You failed (passed) a skills check and were targeted for being backed off....the casino then decided to run FRS on you to see if they had any matches from previous backoffs.

Either way, you were toast...AND probably would have been identified under your real name if the casino was using an old fashioned photo database or even a scrapbook of photos cross indexed by descriptions such as height, weight, hair color/style. You give the tools of the surveillence department too much credit when the credit really should go to the people within that department using the tools. A sharp surveillence department doesn't need FRS...they have their database of undesirables indexed and cross indexed in a way that they can find out who you are once their suspicions are raised.

FRS is usually only utilized once the casino gets suspicious...once they are suspicious you are usually toast whether there is FRS in place or not...and that's the point.

I was being focused upon most likely because I play high. All else you mention is not relevant. What is relevant is what I said above: Without absolute knowledge of what they know, we must assume that the FRS is effective and act accordingly.

You show your complete lack of any knowledge of the subject when you state:

1. "they have their database of undesirables indexed"

So what? They have thousands and thousands of people with pictures. They no longer waste their time going through all that when FRS identifies you instantly.

2. "FRS is usually only utilized once the casino gets suspicious".

More nonsense. You have no basis for that opinion as you have no way of knowing. They usually utilize FRS whenever a big player sits down. This was detailed specifically in documentaries shown on several cable channels.

To play in a fools paradise believing that there is no problem is naive and expensive. You are being irresponsible and you have no idea what you are talking about as those listening to your wishful thinking and unsubstantiated opinion will pay a costly price. Players who want to continue play must assume that the casinos are capable in this area. You just want to be right regardless of the problems your opinion may cause others. I live here in LV and know of what I speak. You probably live in Toledo and just responded in between pizza deliveries. Typical. Hold the cheese!

You probably live in Toledo and just responded in between pizza deliveries.

bigplayer is a full-time high stakes traveling professional. He plays a lot of hours at levels that routinely get scrutinized. He is among the top echelon of full-timers. He doesn't need me or anyone else to speak for him, but I could not let this remark go without jumping in. Perhaps you and he have a disagreement, but bigplayer deserves far more respect than your comment shows.

- You have no basis for that opinion as you have no way of knowing.

There are ways of knowing how those people operate that go far beyond anything you'll see on a cable channel. They will never be discussed here, but I'm sure bigplayer is quite aware of them.

ETF

I think this thread is just about played out. You have stated your view, and Big Player and Math Boy have stated theirs. Without both of your posting a lot of inappropriate details, I don�t think there is a lot more that can be accomplished here.

I want to thank you for bringing this article to our attention, and for sharing your views on it. I also thank BP, MB, and the other participants for sharing their opinions.

As readers of Green Chip are well aware, you are very much mistaken about BP.I can personally vouch for him. I know BP. BP Is a friend of mine.

I know that he makes good money as a fulltime AP.

I recently read that one country (I believe it was the UK) would no longer allow you to smile for your passport photo as a simple smile could throw off FRS.

Dr 21

I work as a dealer in a casino. Before that, slot attendant. More so in slots I had to work with surveillance mainly for photos of people and such, but I at least 'know' how the system works.

FRS work, fine. Let's assume this so everyone can be happy. The point is FRS doesn't just pick up people as soon as they walk in the door. YOU have to be doing something to get the casinos attention. It could be as simple as big bets, getting too drunk, or just something out of the ordinary. Pit Managers, if necessary, will call surveillance for a picture of you. If there is a problem, the picture is already taken. If a casino has FRS then they may cross reference this data to see if you have a "background" in their system. NO BACKGROUND, NO DATA. You must have done something in the past to get your data in their system. Whether it be for any of the reasons above or even possibly a police record. (Casino Data can be linked to police computers and squad cars). So, depending on maybe a crime of dishonesty (i.e. knocking off a bank or something) casino need to know who is playing in thier casino.

Otherwise, I think you are just being a little paranoid. Bigplayer is right on this. It doesn't matter if you are being I.D.ed by a machine or by man. If you have a checkered past with a casino they will know you. Maybe not everytime you come in, but they will eventually remember your face if you keep going back.