DHS to have real time updates to biometric database
02 March, 2011
category: Biometrics, Government
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is hoping to have real-time access to the U.S. Department of Defense’s biometrics database to assist with their ability to better determine if any foreign visitors are dangerous or wanted by police upon their entry into the United States, according to a Federal News Radio article.
As foreign visitors are already required to submit to a collection of biometric data under the U.S. VISIT program, the need they are hoping to have filled would simply be to have better information available quicker to those collecting the data.
DHS and the FBI already share information with real time updates so that anybody entering the country and having their information run through the U.S. VISIT program would be matched with any of the files the FBI would have on them.
However, DHS officials are hopeful that the biometric data maintained by the Department of Defense, which includes fingerprints from those detained by military officials as well as fingerprints lifted from IEDs, would further their ability to keep unwanted people out of the U.S.
Read the full story here.