The FBI is currently using facial recognition technology on millions of motorists. They are comparing driver’s license photos with pictures of convicts by using a high tech analysis of chin widths and nose sizes.

This project is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. State and federal laws allow driver’s license agencies to release records for law enforcement use, and local agencies are able to access to North Carolina’s database. However, the FBI is not yet authorized to collect and store the photos. That means the facial-recognition analysis must be done at the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.

This gives the FBI literally access to millions of driver’s licenses. The search takes just a couple of hours giving the FBI a virtual line-up by comparing the photos to suspected criminals and fugitives. Facial-recognition software is not entirely new, however the FBI North Carolina project is the first major step in considering expanding use of the technology to find fugitives nationwide. Recently, a fugitive who changed his name and moved to another state was captured by using this technology.

Biometric information is unique to each person and includes fingerprints and DNA. Further biometric information to be tested includes iris patterns in the eye, voices, scent and even a person’s gait.

This type of biometric information offers the FBI access to everyone’s license photo. Should you be concerned about how your driver’s license is being used? Is it right to use your photo for a de-facto law enforcement database? You make the call.