Automated background check via facial recognition
Embodiments use pictures of detainees and automatically scan image databases to detect when a detainee has a criminal record and to alert controlled-environment facility personnel to that record. A picture of the detainee is captured during booking or at another time. The picture is compared to a database of images of individuals with criminal records. If the picture matches an existing image in the database, then information associated with the matching image is provided to the controlled-environment facility personnel. The information is analyzed to identify key issues, such as active warrants. The controlled-environment facility personnel are alerted to any such key information.
1. A method comprising:
capturing an electronic image of a target individual using a camera system in a controlled-environment facility;
comparing the electronic image of the target individual to a database of stored images that are associated with individuals with known criminal records using facial recognition or image matching;
identifying a match between the electronic image and a matching stored image using facial recognition or image matching;
identifying criminal record information associated with the matching stored image;
comparing the criminal record information associated with the matching stored image to a controlled-environment facility record for the target individual;
determining if there are any differences between the criminal record information and the controlled-environment facility record for the target individual;
alerting controlled-environment facility personnel when at least one difference is detected between the criminal record information and the controlled-environment facility record for the target individual; and
highlighting the differences between the criminal record information and the controlled-environment facility record for the target individual on a display presented to the controlled-environment facility personnel.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic image of the target individual is captured as part of an intake process in the controlled-environment facility.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic image is captured when the target individual uses a communication or visitation terminal in the controlled-environment facility and is captured by a camera system of the communication or visitation terminal.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target individual is a resident of the controlled-environment facility.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target individual is a visitor for a resident of the controlled-environment facility.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target individual is a staff member at the controlled-environment facility.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the criminal record information includes one or more of: an active warrant, an arrest record, and a prior conviction record.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database of stored images is located remotely from the controlled-environment facility.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database of stored images is located at the controlled-environment facility.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic image of the target individual is compared to the database of stored images using an application running on a processor located at the controlled-environment facility.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic image of the target individual is compared to the database of stored images using an application running on a processor located remote from the controlled-environment facility.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
identifying at least one active warrant in the criminal record information associated with the matching stored image to a target individual record; and
alerting controlled-environment facility personnel when the at least one warrant is detected.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein comparing the electronic image of the target individual to a database of stored images further comprises:
comparing the electronic image of the target individual to a database of stored images located at the controlled-environment facility; and
if no matches are found in the database of stored images located at the controlled-environment facility, then comparing the electronic image of the target individual to one or more databases of stored images located remotely from the controlled-environment facility.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic image of the target individual and the stored images comprise pictures of faces; and wherein the electronic image of the target individual is compared to the database of stored images using a facial recognition application.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic image of the target individual and the stored images comprise pictures of at least one of a tattoo, a piercing, an iris, and a body part; and wherein the electronic image of the target individual is compared to the database of stored images using an image matching application.
16. A system for automatically identifying records associated with residents of a controlled-environment facility, comprising:
at least one camera configured to capture images of the residents;
at least one memory storing images that are associated with individuals with known criminal records;
a computer system comprising a processor executing a facial recognition application and configured to:
identify a match between the electronic images of the residents and one or more stored images using the facial recognition;
compare criminal record information associated with each matching stored image to a matching resident controlled-environment facility record;
determine any differences between the criminal record information and the matching resident controlled-environment facility record;
alert controlled-environment facility personnel when at least one difference between the criminal record information and the matching resident controlled-environment facility record is detected; and
a display configured to display criminal record information associated with the matching stored image to controlled-environment facility personnel, highlighting the differences between the criminal record information and the controlled-environment facility record for the target individual.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electronic images of the residents are captured as part of an intake process in the controlled-environment facility.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the criminal record information includes one or more of: an active warrant, an arrest record, and a prior conviction record.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one memory storing images is located remotely from the controlled-environment facility.
20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by one or more controlled-environment facility computer systems, cause the one or more controlled-environment facility computer systems to:
capture an electronic image of a target individual using a camera system in a controlled-environment facility;
compare the electronic image of the target individual to a database of stored images that are associated with individuals with known criminal records using facial recognition or image matching;
identify a match between the electronic image and a matching stored image using facial recognition or image matching;
identify criminal record information associated with the matching stored image;
provide the criminal record information to personnel at the controlled-environment facility;
compare the criminal record information associated with the matching stored image to a target individual record;
identify differences between the criminal record information and the target individual record; and
alert controlled-environment facility personnel when at least one difference between the criminal record information and the target individual record is detected; and
highlight the at least one difference between the criminal record information and the target individual record on a display presented to the controlled-environment facility personnel.