Photo of Immigration at Changi Airport from Shutterstock

A new scanning system which will include the use of two additional biometric markers, namely facial recognition and iris recognition, will be introduced by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in April next year at all checkpoints.

The addition of the new biometric identifiers will eliminate the problem of the inability of the current system – the enhanced-Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS) – to “accurately read fingerprints that are faint” or “scarred” due to factors such as genetics or aging.

In a statement on Monday (12 Nov), ICA said: “With the BioScreen-Multi Modal Biometric Screening System, travellers can be authenticated using any of the three biometric identifiers.

“This will enable more efficient immigration clearance for travellers who may face difficulties using their fingerprints.”

The authority added: “A robust biometrics database of travellers, comprising facial images, fingerprint and iris, will be useful for post-incident investigation and data analytics purposes in the event of a security incident.”

With the new system, travellers are required to place two thumbs on a fingerprint scanner and, at the same time, look at a camera which will scan their faces and eyes after handing over their passports or placing their passports on the scanner at the automated gates.

Once the process is succesfully completed, a green tick will be shown on a screen.

In response to questions regarding whether the new system will affect clearance time, ICA said: “As part of the trial, we will try to fine-tune the final outcome to achieve a more effective clearance process.”

Currently, the new multi-biometric system is being trialled at manual and automated counters at the Woodlands, Tuas and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal checkpoints.

Existing use of facial recognition currently present in security cameras at Woodlands Checkpoint 

Since 2012, the ICA has been able to identify wanted persons through facial recognition cameras situated at entrances and immigration counters at Woodlands Checkpoint.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) Lian Lee Siong revealed on Monday (12 Nov) that over “280,000 travellers pass through Woodlands Checkpoint every day,” and that the facial recognition system has enabled the ICA to “process large volumes of passengers more efficiently and securely.”

Plans to install such cameras at other checkpoints such as the ones at Changi Airport are underway.

The facial recognition cameras have also been used as a part of heightened security measures preceding the ongoing ASEAN Summit, as well as other major events like the Trump-Kim summit.

Mobile and body-worn cameras attached to Home Team officers also contain facial recognition technology

Mobile cameras containing facial recognition technology are frequently used during large-scale events such as festivities, where a wanted person could possibly be present according to previous information and records.

Such cameras, which have been used in several Home Team operations since July last year, can easily be set up within 10 minutes, and have the capacity to send alerts to the mobile phones of officers via a secure wireless network.

Body-worn cameras equipped with facial recognition technology are utilised in situations where it is not possible to be stationary such as in a moving vehicle or in low-light conditions.

Such cameras are connected to officers’ mobile phones, and are able to match faces to a remote database immediately.

“The body-worn cameras allow roving officers on patrol within the checkpoints to accurately and swiftly detect persons-of-interest before they reach the immigration counters,” according to ICA.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

Reuters journalists in Singapore protest imprisonment of colleagues in Myanmar; Singapore Police Force warns public of illegality of public assembly without permit

Following a protest by Reuters journalists and editors outside their Asia-Pacific headquarters…

Judicial review on Thaipusam music restriction hits roadblock

By Timothy Lai On 14th August 2015, High Court judge, Justice Tay…

疫情当前 吴作栋:我本预期执政党能有更好战绩

前任总理吴作栋在上月的一次专访中坦言,对于2020大选成绩感到意外,疫情当前,原本预计人民会选择走安全一步,执政党理应能有更好的表现。 他在于上月27日接受《海峡时报》的访问。询及本届选举成绩,吴作栋表示感到相当意外,尤其是工人党拿下两个集选区和一个单选区,而且人民行动党的整体支持率也下降至61.2巴仙。 “老实说,我本预期执政党会因为疫情的原因,能有更好的表现,因为我相信人民通常都会选择走安全的一步。” “然而,我不认为执政党有应对年轻一代的需求。执政党强调疫情等挑战,但年轻一代会认为,处理疫情本就是您的本分,那么他们(年轻人)的期许又当如何?” 尽管已卸下议员身份,惟吴作栋仍是荣誉国务资政,同时接任人民协会高级顾问,并继续协助推进与印度和缅甸的关系。 吴作栋:年轻一代期待更多元的声音代表 他也提出年轻一代会期待有更多元的声音能够代表他们。 “就政治情绪和期望而言,我们已经到达一个拐点,但令我惊讶的是新加坡竟以这般速度到达这个点。” “我期待能够有所改变,但并非是现在,我预计或许会在2025年发生,当第四代领导人接管后,会在领导层产生变化。如果不是也会是在这之后。” 至于即将接手的总理职位的王瑞杰和陈振声,他也指出第四代领导人并没有在政治表现出来,虽然他们很精明、称职、勤奋、也善于管理部门,但他们仍未表现出政治敏锐度与领导能力。 王瑞杰于本届大选中以53.4巴仙险胜,守住议席,在11万5千912的总票中,以7千769票获胜。

The state of our buses – LTA should do more

I refer to the report,  “Only one case of non-compliance” (TODAY April…