Europe's premier event for biometric solutions

In an innovative and forward-thinking programme, more than 45 top international speakers at Biometrics 2010 – www.biometrics2010.com – will reveal how biometric technology such as fingerprint, facial and iris recognition is being used to identify individuals – from large-scale government projects such as national ID identity schemes and border control to law enforcement and military applications. The programme features numerous case studies from around the world and reviews results from the latest trials and tests. The 3-day conference takes place 19-21 October in Westminster, London and is supported by a large exhibition.

Citizen identification and border control with biometrics
The conference kicks off with an opening keynote from Kirit Amin of the US Department of State who will guide delegates though the current use of biometrics in US travel documentation. Kirit Amin serves as the chief information officer for the Bureau of Consular Affairs and director for the Office of Consular Systems and Technology (CST) at the US Department of State. CST develops, installs, provides training, and supports CA’s information technology (IT) systems dispersed across 270+ worldwide locations. Mr Amin is responsible for all IT programmes, which support the agency’s mission of protecting the lives and interests of American citizen’s overseas and strengthening US border security.

The remainder of the first day looks at three large-scale citizen identification projects in Mexico, India and Angola, which are pushing the biometric design envelope. In a review of these projects, speakers will reveal why certain biometric modalities were selected; how multimodal biometrics can be vital for success; how biometrics can be used despite challenging environments and how biometrics can help make a fairer society.

Looking specifically at the use of biometrics for border control, seven high-level presentations review the use of biometrics in ePassports and eVisas. Delegates will then hear the results of specific government implementations and projects, and look at some of the opportunities and challenges that governments face when working together to share information.

Biometric-based automated border control is a useful tool to help ease inevitable bottlenecks that build up when enhanced documents are used to bolster security. There are many lessons to learn, however. A dedicated session on the second conference day considers real-life lessons from a plethora of schemes ranging from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to London Heathrow and the Caribbean. The stream also considers some new concepts on how airport resource allocation can be improved.

New for 2010 is a special session on the use of biometrics within military operations. An organised panel discussion including participants from relevant government organisations across the world will investigate how biometrics are used in military operations and the impact they have had.

Biometrics in action
The use of biometrics in the law enforcement sector has a long history – from the use of biometrics in prisons, to its use in traditional AFIS implementations. More recently, biometric surveillance techniques have improved, and new modalities, such as iris, are being considered. In a series of presentations to end the conference, delegates are treated to an exciting foray into how biometrics can help solve crime from case studies from as far afield as Argentina and Australia.

Alongside the various case studies highlighted above are a number of presentations from experts in the field reviewing state-of-the-art technological initiatives being investigated and applied around the world, the latest tests and results and look at the next phase of biometric standardisation.

Free visitor entry to biometrics exhibition
The conference is supported by Europe’s largest exhibition for biometrics technology, featuring international biometrics suppliers, systems integrators and related ID and authentication solutions suppliers. The following companies are among those exhibiting at Biometrics 2010: 3M United Kingdom plc, Accenture, Aoptix Technologies, Aware Inc., Cogent Systems, Cognitec Systems, Cross Match Technologies GmbH, DAON, Data Strip, Dermalog, Desko GmbH, Fujitsu, Hitachi Europe, Human Recognition Systems Ltd, id3 Semiconductor, IEEE Certified Biometrics Professional (CBP) Program, Innovatrics, IriTech Inc., L-1 Identity Solutions, LG Electronics USA Inc., Lumidigm, MOBIO, Morpho, Regula, secunet Security Networks AG, SLS Security, Smart Sensors Ltd, Speed Identity AB, Tangent Vision Science Inc., TBS Holding AG, TST Biometrics GmbH, Vision Box, Wacom Europe, WCC Services – Smart Search & Match.

Entry to the exhibition is free and visitors should pre-register at  www.biometrics2010.com for tickets and details of opening times.

For details of the full conference programme and to register as a conference delegate or exhibition visitor visit  www.biometrics2010.com

Biometrics 2010 will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in Westminster, London, UK, 19-21 October.