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Tattoo Recognition Technology - Best Practices (Tatt-BP): Guidelines for Tattoo Image Collection

Published

Author(s)

Mei L. Ngan, George W. Quinn, Patrick J. Grother

Abstract

This document, along with a supplementary poster and a set of instructional slides, provides best practice guidelines for the collection of good quality tattoo images. As an outcome of the Tatt-C 2015 activity, algorithm failure to correctly match a tattoo is often related to the consistency and quality of image capture. Notably, inconsistencies in image angle, orientation, size of the tattoo relative to the entire image and poor collection characteristics such as poor illumination, low contrast, blur, and the existence of clothing and background clutter caused failures for tattoo detection and matching algorithms. While some problems can potentially be rectified via post-capture image processing, which imposes additional human labor, certain properties cannot be recovered after the photograph is taken. As such, certain guidelines should be followed to ensure good quality images are collected.
Citation
NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 8109
Report Number
8109

Keywords

tattoo, tattoo recognition

Citation

Ngan, M. , Quinn, G. and Grother, P. (2016), Tattoo Recognition Technology - Best Practices (Tatt-BP): Guidelines for Tattoo Image Collection, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8109 (Accessed March 29, 2024)
Created February 25, 2016, Updated November 10, 2018