Interpol, the world’s largest international police organization, has launched its enhanced BioHUB, powered by Idemia’s newest Multibiometric Identification System (MBIS).
This latest version, MBIS 5, integrates new generation algorithms which provide a higher matching accuracy rate with a shorter response time and a more user-friendly interface.
The first phase of its deployment to enhance the identification of potential Persons of Interest (POIs) for police investigations has already been operational since October 2023.
The second phase, which will be rolled out over the next two years, will extend this tool to border control points.
The system will then be able to perform up to one million forensic searches per day, including fingerprints, palm prints and portraits, making it the top performing automated biometric identification system on the market.
Interpol currently has 196 member countries and enables law enforcement agencies from around the world to work together to make the world a safer place.
Facial recognition is an important and rapidly evolving technology that has opened up many new opportunities to identify individuals and solve crimes.
In 2016, Interpol opted for Idemia’s advanced facial recognition capabilities to create the Interpol Face Recognition System (IFRS).
The IFRS contains face images from more than 170 countries, and since its launch, thousands of terrorists, criminals, fugitives, POIs, and missing persons have been identified.
In 2019, Interpol renewed its contract with Idemia to upgrade the current system and transform it into a Multibiometric Identification System (MBIS).
Idemia and Interpol first began their collaboration in 1999, when Idemia delivered the original Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
The AFIS was designed to make cooperation easier between police forces from member countries by giving them access to global police tools and services, namely forensics, fingerprint evidence and the exchange of forensic data to support international investigations.
Through AFIS, authorised users in member countries can view, submit, and cross-check these records using Interpol’s secure global police communications network.
Cyril Gout, Interpol’s director of operational support and analysis, said the enhanced partnership with Idemia will further help member countries better protect their borders and communities.
“In the same way that criminals use ever more innovative and sophisticated ways to avoid detection, law enforcement must also leverage the latest advances in technology, especially in biometric security, to better combat all forms of transnational crime,” said Gout.
