FBI Aims for World's Largest Biometrics Database

[OhioChick]

By Reuters
December 22, 2007

The biometrics database will give the government more ways to identify people at home and abroad.

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—The FBI is embarking on a $1 billion project to build the world's largest computer database of biometrics to give the government more ways to identify people at home and abroad, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

The FBI has already started compiling digital images of faces, fingerprints and palm patterns in its systems, the paper said.

In January, the agency—which focuses on violations of federal law, espionage by foreigners and terrorist activities—expects to award a 10-year contract to expand the amount and kinds of biometric information it receives, it said.

At an employer's request, the FBI will also retain the fingerprints of employees who have undergone criminal background checks, the paper said.

If successful, the system, called Next Generation Identification, will collect the biometric information in one place for identification and forensic purposes, the Post said.

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2240010,00.asp

[Rex]

1. Okay, first it might help law enforcement - if used the right way.

Worse case senario - 'someone' will be able to frame 'someone else' for anything as long as they have the connections and money/power to do so. I guess TIA is almost done.

[Double T]

2. They'll biometric me over my dead body.

Is there ANYONE left in Congress that remembers the US has a Constitution and Bill of Rights?

[Rex]

3. This is the perfect time for the FBI to do this.

With zero oversight or zero accountability, they can run amok knowing that Congress is too busy dealing with huge scandals from other parts of the Justice Department. I guess they want some attention too.

Scary shit.

[OhioChick]

4. Makes You Wonder, Doesn't It? n/t

[avenger64]

5. Man, I can't wait for the forced body scan ...

... what do they shoot you up with when they come to your house? Big Brother is so good to look after us like that.