Eyewitnesses’ Visual Recollection in Suspect Identification by using Facial Appearance Model

Abstract

Facial recognition has been an active field of imaging science. With the recent progresses in computer vision development, it is extensively applied in various areas, especially in law enforcement and security. Human face is a viable biometric that could be effectively used in both identification and verification. Thus far, regardless of a facial model and relevant metrics employed, its main shortcoming is that it requires a facial image, against which comparison is made. Therefore, closed circuit televisions and a facial database are always needed in an operational system. For the last few decades, unfortunately, we have experienced an emergence of asymmetric warfare, where acts of terrorism are often committed in secluded area with no camera installed and possibly by persons whose photos have never been kept in any official database prior to the event. During subsequent investigations, the authorities thus had to rely on traumatized and frustrated witnesses, whose testimonial accounts regarding suspect’s appearance are dubious and often misleading. To address this issue, this paper presents an application of a statistical appearance model of human face in assisting suspect identification based on witness’s visual recollection. An online prototype system was implemented to demonstrate its core functionalities. Both visual and numerical assessments reported herein evidentially indicated potential benefits of the system for the intended purpose.