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Forensic biometrics

What is Forensic Biometrics?

Forensic biometrics is the examination of physical traits to identify people during forensic investigations. Some of the traits involved in this field are:

  • Fingerprints
  • Palm prints
  • Facial structures
  • Iris patterns

What is NIST’s Role?

Our experts:

  • Evaluate the performance of forensic biometric examination methods and technologies, such as automated fingerprint identification systems and facial recognition algorithms.
  • Create standards, reference data and databases to help develop and test new biometric analysis methods.
  • Develop tools and algorithms to help improve the accuracy and reliability of forensic biometric analyses.

News and Updates

Spotlight: A Closer Look at the Fingerprint Landscape

NIST Expands Its Library of ‘Chemical Fingerprints’ to Identify Unknown Substances

NIST Helps Fingerprint Examiners With New Data and Software Release

Blog Posts

Facial Recognition Experts Can Identify You by … Your Ears?

Facing the Facts to Keep Our Biometrics Secure

A Tale of Two Errors: Measuring Biometric Algorithms

Featured content

Do You Have What It Takes to be a Forensic Fingerprint Examiner?

View Forensic Biometrics Publications View Forensic Biometrics Research Projects
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