Iris, fingerprints and face to be used in ID card trial

Iris, fingerprint and facial recognition will all be tested as part of the UK Passport Service's six-month trial of biometric technology ahead of the introduction of potentially compulsory national ID cards.

The details have emerged with the announcement that SchlumbergerSema will run the trial, which will start in January next year with 10,000 individuals carrying biometric smart cards.

SchlumbergerSema will lead a consortium of vendors, including NEC, Identix and Iridian Technologies, and will be responsible for designing, building and maintaining the pilot equipment and software. NEC will supply its Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), Identix will provide fingerprint capture and facial recognition technology and Iridian Technologies will supply iris recognition.

The pilot will test iris pattern and fingerprint biometrics enrolment and verification, as well as collection and verification of a facial recognition biometric.

NEC said that, based on its experience with the Singapore Immigration Authority, it has seen the dramatic impact that biometrics can have on improving access to public services and in tackling crime and illegal immigration.