FBI Database of Physical Traits

[vmichel]

The FBI wants to compile a database of the physical features of all Americans:

CLARKSBURG, West Virginia (CNN) -- The FBI is gearing up to create a massive computer database of people's physical characteristics, all part of an effort the bureau says to better identify criminals and terrorists

First up, he said, are palm prints. The FBI has already begun collecting images and hopes to soon use these as an additional means of making identifications. Countries that are already using such images find 20 percent of their positive matches come from latent palm prints left at crime scenes, the FBI's Bush said.

The FBI has also started collecting mug shots and pictures of scars and tattoos. These images are being stored for now as the technology is fine-tuned. All of the FBI's biometric data is stored on computers 30-feet underground in the Clarksburg facility.

In addition, the FBI could soon start comparing people's eyes -- specifically the iris, or the colored part of an eye -- as part of its new biometrics program called Next Generation Identification.

CNN

The information would be taken from FBI background checks, which are pretty routine for regular people. I've had to have 3 so far for various jobs. It disturbs me to think that this kind of information about me would be on file, and also that my data will be used to experiment with this project.

[alisea]

Beyond chilling. WHEN will people start resisting?

[sparqui]

Horrible. I'm pretty freaked by the bio-data US customs is already collecting from foreigners (Canada exempt for the time being) entering the country.

[arborman]

Horrible. I'm pretty freaked by the bio-data US customs is already collecting from foreigners (Canada exempt for the time being) entering the country.

One way to avoid that - don't go.  I will not cross that border until things change for the better - so probably forever.  It's too bad, I'd love to see some of the natural stuff in Conus.

[fern hill]

One way to avoid that - don't go.  I will not cross that border until things change for the better - so probably forever.

That was my plan too, arborman. Unfortunately, I have a nearly 80-year-old mother living in Florida. I've had to go once since 9/11 and will probably have to go again.

But what about aborboy and Disney World?  :twisted:

[GDKitty]

I thought so too, arborman, but a coupla conferences and a family-wedding have laid all my plans to rest.

There are still good people down there, eh?  Come to think of it, the 'good' are prolly more numerous than our whole Canajun population. I keep telling myself that, anyway.

[sparqui]

arborman, I have avoided the US like the plague ever since Bush started his wars on terror. However, in 2005 I had to attend a conference in Boston so I relented that one time. But I was shocked to hear that other foreign delegates (non-Canadian and including the UK) had to get bio-metric scans of their eyes and finger prints. Of course they were outraged but what could they do? They couldn't afford to turn around and take a flight home in protest. The whole thing is just appalling.

[Mandos]

By then that system had been in place for years, so they ought to have known what the entry procedures are.  Eye scan, though?  I know they take a photo with a web cam, but I've never seen eye scan machines at customs.

[Mandos]

I cross the US border several times a year, but naturally get the Canadian exemption to the fingerprint requirement.  However, they have a long long file on me, what with all the entries, some of them under odd ticketing arrangements (long story).   I get paid by university research grants that are actually just not much more than software development professional services contracts for government and business, and at least one contract required that I get a rudimentary background check presumably carried out by federal security officials.  I passed, of course, but they definitely have a dossier on me.

[arborman]

I thought so too, arborman, but a coupla conferences and a family-wedding have laid all my plans to rest.

There are still good people down there, eh?  Come to think of it, the 'good' are prolly more numerous than our whole Canajun population. I keep telling myself that, anyway.

There are good people in every country.  Their existence does not increase my interest in placing myself at the mercy of an increasingly ubiquitous intrusive police state whose leaders make a specific point of, take pride in, denying any and all rights to foreigners.

Even the Dems aren't upset about the NSA listening to our telephone calls, only their own.  

No way do they get my identifying data, any more than they can get already through the %$(* Patriot Act etc.