Identification from a computer-driven retrieval system compared with a traditional mug-shot album search: a new tool for police investigations

Abstract

A computerized mug-shot system (FRAME) for police use is described and its performance compared with the traditional album search method. FRAME proved the more effective in locating typical target faces but there was no difference between the two methods for finding unusual target faces. Target faces in the album condition were less likely to be located the further down the list they occurred. Analyses of witnesses' feature descriptions are also reported.

Keywords:

• Mug-shot
• Automatic retrieval
• Face recognition