‘White Widow’ terrorist could be snared by new facial recognition tech that can see through burkas
TERRORISTS could be caught in the future by new facial recognition technology that has the ability to see through burkas and masks.
Anti-terror groups are in line to get the new high-tech gear which will help them track and identify targets.
Heat-monitoring gear will be able to spot face patterns day or night.
It could be used by both spies tracking suspected criminals or by snipers in the field to see targets up to a mile away in complete darkness.
The new equipment is said to be so accurate that it could be used to identify the burka-clad Samantha Lewthwaite, known as the “White Widow”, even if she was fully covered.
The mum, 36, from Aylesbury, Bucks, was married to the terrorist Germaine Lindsay, 19.
She is wanted in connection with a series of terrorist attacks around the world.
Lindsay was one of the 7/7 bombers who killed 52 commuters in London on July 7, 2005.
A British military source told The Mirror: “This is a major development for any organisation involved in the hunt for terrorists.
“Suspects can now be identified at night and from long ranges.
‘IT’S OUT OF A JAMES BOND MOVIE’
“We understand the technology is so sensitive it can provide a positive ID of someone wearing a mask. That is revolutionary. It’s straight out of a James Bond movie.”
The new technology uses infrared cameras with artificial intelligence to identify facial patterns using heat signatures from skin tissue.
The infrared image is then cross-referenced against a database storing biometric face details and a watch list.
Research is currently underway by US and British military scientists at the US Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory near Washington.
Dr Sean Hu – US Army Research Laboratory Intelligent Perception Branch team lead – said the new equipment will allow soldiers to make quicker, safer and more intelligent decisions on the battlefield.
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He added: “Under night-time and low-light conditions, there isn’t enough light to capture facial imagery without using artificial lighting, without compromising a soldier’s safety or giving up their location to potential enemies.
“We’re trying to help soldiers identify individuals of interest to aid both tactical and strategic operations.”
At the moment the technology is reportedly 90 per cent accurate but scientists believe they can improve it further.
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