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    The document summarizes recent advances in the BOSS facial scanning project. BOSS was developed by Electronic Warfare Associates for the Department of Homeland Security to identify persons of interest in large crowds. It uses infrared cameras and distance sensors to create 3D models of faces and compare them to criminal databases. While initial tests showed promise for military use, further tests found BOSS had difficulties with accuracy at large distances and slow processing times, leading authorities to conclude police should not purchase the technology. The document also notes privacy concerns about potential expanded surveillance uses if policies are not established.

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    The document summarizes recent advances in the BOSS facial scanning project. BOSS was developed by Electronic Warfare Associates for the Department of Homeland Security to identify persons of interest in large crowds. It uses infrared cameras and distance sensors to create 3D models of faces and compare them to criminal databases. While initial tests showed promise for military use, further tests found BOSS had difficulties with accuracy at large distances and slow processing times, leading authorities to conclude police should not purchase the technology. The document also notes privacy concerns about potential expanded surveillance uses if policies are not established.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    Download as pdf or txt
    27 views8 pages

    Biometric Optical Surveillance System

    Uploaded by

    occupyoakland
    The document summarizes recent advances in the BOSS facial scanning project. BOSS was developed by Electronic Warfare Associates for the Department of Homeland Security to identify persons of interest in large crowds. It uses infrared cameras and distance sensors to create 3D models of faces and compare them to criminal databases. While initial tests showed promise for military use, further tests found BOSS had difficulties with accuracy at large distances and slow processing times, leading authorities to conclude police should not purchase the technology. The document also notes privacy concerns about potential expanded surveillance uses if policies are not established.

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    of 8

    The BOSS Project: Recent Advances in Facial Scanning

    Adam C. Champion

    BOSS Project
    New York Times reported (Aug. 21, 2013) [1]
    Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) tested Biometric Optical Surveillance System (BOSS) Goal: identify persons of interest in crowd
    E.g., terrorism suspects, criminals at large events

    Customers: U.S. police departments


    Originally: military (detect persons with IEDs)

    Technical Challenges
    BOSS faced the following challenges:
    Distinguish person of interest in crowd at a distance Various lighting conditions Harder to scan a crowd than to scan an individual

    BOSS Development
    Electronic Warfare Associates. Inc. developed BOSS with ! U. of Louisville scientist Two towers with infrared cameras, distance sensors Compute 3D model of persons face Model compared with photos in databases

    Criminal?

    BOSS Test Results


    DHS tested BOSS in a Washington state arena six times
    30 volunteers faces compared to 1000 criminals faces

    Conclusion: police departments should not buy BOSS


    Facial recognition accuracy degrades at larger distances Takes ! 30 s to process images

    Privacy Implications
    The Times story heavily mentions privacy
    Currently, there are no rules about how a BOSSlike system should be used
    Could track peoples movements in public places Civil libertarians argue for policy establishment

    Public has accepted some surveillance in public places like airports

    Thank You

    Questions and Comments?

    References
    1. C. Savage, Facial Scanning is Making Gains in Surveillance, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2013, https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/21/us/facial-scanning-is-making-gainsin-surveillance.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

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