Press Release: Sheriff Vincent DeMarco: The Iris Doesn't Lie

The Iris Doesn’t Lie …

Sheriff DeMarco adds new technology to prevent the use of Aliases New eye scan system helps track criminals

Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent F. DeMarco unveiled ground breaking technology aimed at keeping track of new arrestees and inmates. The Iris Scan system, developed by SecuriMetric Inc. significantly cuts down the ability of criminals to use false names or aliases. Furthermore, the new system speeds up the process of discharging inmates from the jail and reduces the possibility of human error, eliminating the possibility of an inmates erroneous release. The objective of the new system is to identify inmates quickly, reliably and efficiently.

After being tested for one year and yielding positive results, the Sheriff has made the scanning system a permanent fixture.

Iris recognition technology is part of a new era in identification for law enforcement agencies. Compared to fingerprinting, iris scanning is much easier and requires minimal physical contact. The iris is the colored part of the eye beneath the cornea. The human iris finishes developing at about 18 months old and remains the same throughout our lives. An individual’s iris is so unique that even twins have different irises, and a person’s left iris is never the same as their right iris. The new system will cut down on personnel needed to identify inmates and will also reduce human error because the iris scan is so definitive. Sheriff DeMarco noted that this is the same innovative technology that the Department of Defense uses in military bases in the Middle East.

Sheriff DeMarco noted, “Reading fingerprints is a very lengthy process and is subject to human error. Iris recognition technology will never totally replace fingerprints because you cannot leave your iris at a crime scene. This new technology gives law enforcement the ability to quickly and reliably identify inmates and repeat offenders.”

Sheriff DeMarco pointed out that the Iris Scan system would also help law enforcement properly identify repeat offenders who do not have any documentation. This population often will try to use an alias when they are arrested. Sheriff DeMarco stated, “We need to make sure that everyone who commits crimes is properly identified in order to maintain a reliable record of their identity and criminal history.”

The equipment and software were fully funded through a grant and money confiscated from drug dealers. Sheriff DeMarco stated, “I cannot think of a better way to spend seized drug money than to invest it in the most advanced technology available to assist in the tracking of criminals.”

Sheriff DeMarco added that, “I have encouraged local police departments and the court system in SuffolkCounty to purchase iris recognition equipment so they can take advantage of our ever growing database.”


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