IDEMIA provides INTERPOL with an enhanced Multibiometric Identification System (MBIS) to support its 196 member countries

On the occasion of INTERPOL’s 91st General Assembly – and 100th anniversary – the world’s largest international police organisation announces the launch of its enhanced BioHUB, powered by IDEMIA’s newest Multibiometric Identification System (MBIS).

Multibiometric Identification System

This latest version, MBIS 5, integrates new generation algorithms, which provide a higher matching accuracy rate with a shorter response time and a more user-friendly interface. The first phase of its deployment to enhance the identification of potential Persons of Interest (POIs) for police investigations has already been operational since October 2023.

The second phase, which will be rolled out over the next two years, will extend this tool to border control points. The system will then be able to perform up to 1 million forensic searches per day, including fingerprints, palm prints and portraits, making it the top performing automated biometric identification system on the market.

Cutting-edge technology to help law enforcement

IDEMIA still leads the biometric tech race covering iris, fingerprint and face recognition

IDEMIA’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its consistently top-ranked identity and security technologies. IDEMIA still leads the biometric tech race covering iris, fingerprint and face recognition.

NIST’s (National Institute of Standards and Technology) latest test results underscore IDEMIA’s outstanding expertise and solutions combining efficiency, accuracy and equity.

INTERPOL, creating a safer world

INTERPOL currently has 196 member countries and enables law enforcement agencies from around the world to work together to make the world a safer place. INTERPOL’s high-tech infrastructure of technical and operational support helps meet the growing challenge of combating crime in the 21st century.

Facial recognition is an important and rapidly evolving technology that has opened up many new opportunities to identify individuals and solve crimes. In 2016, INTERPOL opted for IDEMIA’s advanced facial recognition capabilities to create the INTERPOL Face Recognition System (IFRS).

INTERPOL Face Recognition System (IFRS)

The IFRS contains face images from more than 170 countries, and since its launch, thousands of terrorists, criminals, fugitives, POIs, and missing persons have been identified.

In 2019, INTERPOL renewed its contract with IDEMIA to upgrade the current system and transform it into a Multibiometric Identification System (MBIS). IDEMIA and INTERPOL first began their collaboration in 1999, when IDEMIA delivered the original Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)

AFIS was designed to make cooperation easier between police forces from member countries

The Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) was designed to make cooperation easier between police forces from member countries, by giving them access to global police tools and services, namely forensics, fingerprint evidence and the exchange of forensic data to support international investigations.

Through AFIS, authorised users in member countries can view, submit, and cross-check these records using INTERPOL’s secure global police communications network.

IDEMIA and INTERPOL share enhanced partnership

Cyril Gout, INTERPOL’s Director of Operational Support and Analysis, said “In the same way that criminals use ever more innovative and sophisticated ways to avoid detection, law enforcement must also leverage the latest advances in technology, especially in biometric security, to better combat all forms of transnational crime. INTERPOL’s enhanced partnership with IDEMIA will further help our member countries better protect their borders and communities.”

Matt Cole, Group Executive Vice President, Public Security and Identity at IDEMIA, said “IDEMIA is proud to be collaborating with INTERPOL again and to continue making the world a safer place for all. This project reinforces our longstanding partnership with INTERPOL, which has been going strong for over 20 years.”

INTERPOL receives delivery of the new MBIS

Matt Cole adds, “With the delivery of the new MBIS, developed thanks to our strong dedication to R&D, INTERPOL will have access to cutting-edge fingerprint, palm print and face identification technologies, enabling it and member countries to identify persons of interest faster than ever before.”

He continues, “We look forward to many more years of supporting INTERPOL to ensure the safety of potentially billions of citizens around the world.”