top of page
Writer's picturebrookes3030

How to spot a wanted person in a football crowd with AI Facial Recognition for peanuts!

I'll start by admiting I've no idea how legal it might be but lets imagine the possibilities here. Law enforcement agencies constantly strive to improve their ability to identify and apprehend wanted individuals quickly and efficiently.

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) facial recognition technology has opened up new avenues for enhancing public safety - but it's expensive...not any more. By utilising cloud-enabled DSLR cameras equipped with our Instant-Image App capabilities, linked to pre-loaded mug shot images, law enforcement officers can spot wanted individuals in crowded places like football stadiums. This article explores how AI facial recognition can be leveraged in such scenarios using low-cost, off-the-shelf technologies commonly used in the event photography industry such as a Marathon Race.


The Power of AI Facial Recognition AI facial recognition technology has made significant advancements in recent years, offering law enforcement agencies powerful tools to enhance public safety. By analysing unique facial features, AI algorithms can compare live images to a database of pre-loaded images, enabling rapid identification of individuals of interest. The ability to apply this technology in crowded environments, such as football stadiums, holds immense potential. Initially you have the crowd funneled into gates and when they are sat down then a couple of hours to photograph them.

Instant-Image Cloud-Enabled Cameras To spot wanted individuals in a football crowd, law enforcement agencies can employ instant-image cloud-enabled cameras. These cameras, equipped with AI facial recognition capabilities via an App, can be placed in the hands of junior officers strategically positioned throughout the stadium. Out on the approach to the stadium as people pass by, the cameras capture their images, which are then instantly analysed using the AI facial recognition algorithms - truly seconds to get the alert (assuming you have a phone signal).

Integration with Azure AD and Mug Shot Database To ensure accurate identification, the instant-image cameras should be linked to a database of "mug" shots. This can be achieved by integrating the system with Azure Active Directory (AD) and creating a managed group for the pre-loaded mug shot images. Each mug shot image can be associated with a unique email address based on the individual's name, DoB or record number e.g. Jon.brown010261975@email.address.etc. All the images with the associated unique email address is then loaded into the Instant-images database.

Real-Time Identification and Alerting When the AI facial recognition algorithm detects a match between a live image and a mug shot image, an instant alert is triggered. This alert can be sent to a central control point, which could be as simple as a mobile phone carried by an officer. The alert email would contain the current image of the identified person, along with their source e.g. Officer 1234, it may show their location within the stadium and details of their attire. This allows law enforcement personnel to quickly locate the individual and take appropriate action.

Low-Cost, Off-the-Shelf Technologies The proposed system utilises off-the-shelf technologies commonly used in the event photography industry. Cloud-enabled DSLR cameras are increasingly affordable and accessible. Integration with Azure AD leverages existing infrastructure and enhances data management and security. The low-cost nature of this solution makes it a viable option for law enforcement agencies with limited budgets. Low costs mean it can be used for small numbers of target individuals and still have an RoI better than traditional approaches.

Benefits and Considerations Implementing AI facial recognition in crowded environments like football stadiums offers several benefits. It enables law enforcement to identify wanted individuals in real-time, potentially preventing criminal activities and enhancing public safety. The system also reduces the reliance on manual identification methods, which can be time-consuming and error-prone. However, it is crucial to address privacy concerns associated with facial recognition technology. Striking the right balance between public safety and protecting individual privacy rights should be a top priority. Law enforcement agencies must ensure that the system adheres to strict guidelines and regulations to avoid potential misuse of the technology. We would welcome the discussion.

Conclusion AI facial recognition technology, when integrated with cloud-enabled cameras and linked to a mug shot database managed in Azure AD, holds great promise for law enforcement in spotting wanted individuals in crowded environments like football stadiums. By employing off-the-shelf technologies commonly used in the event photography industry, law enforcement agencies can make significant strides in enhancing public safety at a low cost. It is important to approach the implementation of such systems with careful consideration for privacy and legal guidelines, but when used responsibly, AI facial recognition can become a valuable tool in the hands of law enforcement officers.

Bình luận


bottom of page