DETROIT, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A tattoo-matching technology developed by a computer scientist could help law enforcement agencies identify suspects and victims in crimes, officials said.
A central database of tattoo images will allow police to scan for matches using a program developed by Michigan State University researcher Anil Jain, The Detroit News reported Saturday.
The new technology uses shape, color and texture to match tattoos between subjects of interest and those already collected by law enforcement, such as tattoos identifying gang members, he said
Developed over two years, Jain's technology has been acquired by MorphoTrak, a supplier of identification systems to law enforcement and other markets, the News reported.
"Our customers see it as having tremendous value for intelligence purposes," MorphoTrak spokeswoman Eve Fillion said.
More than 36 percent of people ages 18-40 have tattoos, research shows. The figure is higher among criminals, and police have collected tattoo images for years, the News said.
