Police now have access to technology that can help identify people shown in photos and videos. Facial recognition can compare a person’s face with images in a database and suggest a possible match. You may wonder whether police can reliably use this technology to identify you as a suspect or use it as proof that you committed a crime.
Here is what you should know about how Georgia police may incorporate facial recognition in their investigations.
Police can use facial recognition as an investigative lead
Investigators may turn to the technology when they do not know who appears in an image. For example, investigators could use a photo from a security camera and compare it with photos in a database. The results can give police a name to investigate further. The FBI describes facial recognition as an investigative tool that can help law enforcement identify people.
A facial recognition match does not confirm your identity
The technology can make mistakes, especially when the image has poor lighting, a person’s face appears at an angle or the photo does not clearly show their features. Testing by the National Institute of Standards and Technology has also found differences in how accurately facial recognition systems identify people.
Other evidence can help verify the match
The result gives investigators a possible lead, but they still need to determine whether that person has any connection to the crime. That evidence could include:
- Security camera footage
- Witness statements
- Phone or other digital records
Because the state must prove each element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, investigators need more than an uncertain facial recognition result to build a case. They can use other evidence to test the result and determine whether the facts support the accusation.
Know what a facial recognition match means
A facial recognition result can give police a lead, but it does not answer every question whether you were involved in a crime. If police identify you through this technology, reviewing the evidence with an attorney can help you understand how the identification was made and what other records affect the case.
