Implementing a Facial Recognition System with Alerts and Web Services

The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is currently utilizing static images stored in computers or on printed hard- copies to recognize Missing Persons (MP) and Wanted Persons (WP). This method is unsuitable for today´s rapidly changing environment. The Missing Person Unit (MPU) is still using plastic sheets with human distinguishing characteristics to sketch the face of the MPs. This approach is inefficient and ineffective because of the limitations of manual working procedures, such as searching the image in the manual filing system. So, it is time the HKPF transformed those manual procedures into computerized systems because the recognition of MP or WP is a vital function in the MPU. Further, contemporary Web services technologies are being employed to solve various operational problems, such as mobile access and information integration with other governmental departments.