A Plymouth company has landed a contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to provide ICE agents with an app that can scan irises to tap into databases nationwide and identify people.
BI2 Technologies, based in a one-floor building on State Road, signed a $4.6 million deal with ICE in September. The app allows the user to identify a person from 10 to 15 inches away.
The Washington Post first reported the news of the contract.
According to an ICE filing, BI2 is the only company that makes the technology. The app will “allow ICE agents to quickly authenticate the identity of subjects during field operations,” and would enhance “ICE’s capability to quickly and accurately identify individuals encountered during ICE operations.” It would provide immediate access to booking records in 47 states.
“BI2 holds the only non-Federal national, web-based iris biometric network and database specifically tailored for law enforcement,” the filing said.
When used with BI2’s Inmate Identification and Recognition System, the app would match irises with nationwide arrest records with 99 percent accuracy, according to the filing.
BI2 developed the technology in collaboration with sheriffs across the country. The app integrates several biometric technologies, including iris scans, fingerprints, and facial recognition.
“This capability is unmatched by any competitor,” the filing said. “Bi2 can provide ICE with immediate access to over 5 million booking records across multiple jurisdictions in the United States. Use of this technology and data will meet ICE’s need to positively identify persons of interest and people lying about their identity during field operations.”
BI2, which was founded in 2006, also has offices in Marietta, Georgia. Sean Mullin, president of the company, did not respond to requests for an interview.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.