The three primary ways Face DNA technology and Face DNA Test builds confidence in information technology and metrology are measurements, standards, and testing. Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you today to explain the role that NIST plays in establishing standards and conducting testing for face recognition technologies.

Technology for Biometric and Facial Identification and Recognition

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) mission is to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness in the United States by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. 

Since the 1960s, the NIST has collaborated with the public and commercial sectors in biometrics and DNA testing. Biometric technology provides a method for establishing or verifying the identification of human beings based on one or more observable traits, either physical or behavioral. Images of a person’s face, fingerprints, and iris are all examples of physical traits. A person’s signature is an example of a behavioral attribute that they possess. When combined with other forms of authentication technology, such as a password, biometric technologies can give better levels of security than other forms of authentication technology used on their own. 

Biometric Technologies and DNA Testing

Biometric technologies have been used almost exclusively in homeland security and law enforcement applications for many decades, and they continue to be an essential part of these types of applications today. The market for biometric solutions has expanded dramatically throughout the last few years, and it now encompasses applications from the public sector as well as the commercial sector all over the globe. These applications include banking and retail settings, among others. One analyst in the field predicts that the global market for biometrics technology will reach a value of $59.31 billion by the year 2025. This trend is expected to continue.

Evaluations and Tests Relating to Recognizable Faces

NIST biometric evaluations have been conducted for more than a decade. The NIST biometric assessments help progress the technology by finding and reporting gaps and limits in the capabilities of currently available biometric identification systems. Evaluations conducted by NIST contribute to the advancement of measurement science by furnishing a scientific foundation.” The NIST assessments provide quantifiable data that may be used to formulate scientifically sound and appropriate standards for their intended use. This helps the development of consensus-based standards.

NIST Face in Video Evaluation Program

The Face in Video Evaluation Program, often known as FIVE, analyzed the capacity of face recognition app algorithms to recognize or disregard individuals who appeared in video sequences accurately. This report documents the outcomes of the FIVE projects. NIST finished this program in the year 2017.

Human Factors: Examiners of Forensic Evidence on the Face

NIST is researching to determine ways to quantify the accuracy of forensic examiners when matching identities across a variety of images. In this research, a group of experienced forensic facial examiners from across the globe are tested to see how well they can identify faces in simulated crime scenes. A comparison of the most advanced facial recognition algorithms with the most accurate DNA testing and human face identifiers was also included in the study. The best machine performed within the same range as the best humans, who were trained professionals in the field of face analysis. However, the best facial recognition results were only obtained by a combined effort of people and computers.

VCS stands for “voluntary consensus standards.”

The development of standards, when carried out accurately, can increase productivity and efficiency in both industry and government, broaden opportunities for international trade, conserve resources, provide consumers with benefits and choices improve the environment, and promote both health and safety.

Most organizations responsible for developing standards for paternity DNA testing in the United States are headed by private-sector industries. Numerous voluntary consensus standards developed by organizations responsible for standard creation are suitable for the government’s goals or may be modified to meet those needs. To accomplish the objectives listed below, OMB Circular A-119 mandates that all agencies within the United States federal government apply these criteria whenever feasible and acceptable.

Conclusion

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have taken great pride in its good influence over the last 60 years on the progression of biometrics-related capabilities. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is actively pursuing the standards and measurement research necessary to deploy interoperable, secure, reliable, and usable identity management systems along with best DNA testing kits. NIST has a wealth of experience both in its laboratories and in successful collaborations with the private sector and other government agencies.