Non-Subscriber Extract
UK eyes up IRIS recognition system
- Article Tools
| 28 June 2005 |
The Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) is being introduced by the UK's immigration service at London Heathrow Terminals 2 and 4 as part of a multi-agency programme called e-Borders. The £15 million (US$22 million) first phase includes electronic embarkation controls designed to improve UK border security. The scheme, which is voluntary, includes permanent or temporary UK residents who can sign up at the airport before departure.
Upon presentation of a passport and evidence of residence, a portrait photograph is taken of the passenger and also of their individual iris patterns using laser-based recording equipment. Passengers wearing glasses will be asked to remove these during the photograph session, although those wearing contact lenses will be allowed to retain these in place; contact lenses at no time prejudice the verification procedure.
No bright lights are involved, nor does any physical contact take place. In fact, data collection takes no more than five to ten minutes to complete, with the information gathered being both embossed on a special document separate from a passport and also stored on the Immigration Service's own database alongside each passenger's personal data.
Registered IRIS passengers returning to the UK will still need to carry passports, but they will clear simply by looking into a camera, which will then photograph the traveller's iris patterns and compare them with the existing records on the database. If the patterns match, the barrier will open automatically.
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