Facial recognitionFacial biometrics meet gunshot detectors

Published 17 January 2012

Two high tech companies have teamed up to create the world’s first system that can detect gunshots and identify the shooter’s face

Two high tech companies have teamed up to createthe world’s first system that can detect gunshots and identify the shooter’s face.

To give law enforcement agencies an extra edge in fighting crime, Safety Dynamics, Inc. and Face First are working to integrate their two leading technologies. Together they will combine Safety Dynamics’ gunshot detection technology with FaceFirst’s facial biometrics processor to identify a shooter’s identity in real-time.

Under the combined system, when a gunshot is detected Safety Dynamics’ ballistic acoustic sensors can immediately pinpoint the source of the shot and direct a high-resolution camera to zoom in on the exact location. The shooter’s face will be captured and FaceFirst’s biometrics processor will then compare the shooter’s face against existing databases to determine their identity, or if they are unknown, create a new facial record.

With homeland security contracts becoming increasingly competitive, this partnership to create a single solution could give the two companies a leading edge.

Safety Dynamics is based in Tucson, Arizona and develops a series of gunshot detection technology along with perimeter security, facial, and license plate technology.

FaceFirst of Camarillo, California is part of the Airborne Biometrics Group, which specializes in facial biometrics.