PHOENIX — New software is helping detectives identify deceased subjects through tattoo recognition the Arizona Department of Public Safety's Forensic Images Unit announced Wednesday.
The FIU has used facial recognition software to develop leads in criminal cases since 2016 and said this latest upgrade allows them to expand their investigation.
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DPS has identified two subjects using the new tattoo recognition technology.
In June, one case involved a request from the Phoenix Police Department to identify a homicide victim that suffered a head wound preventing the use of facial recognition technology. The victim's fingerprints didn't provide results leading detectives to use the new Arizona Biometric Information System features.
The detectives were able to forensically examine three distinct tattoos which led to the identification of the victim.
The second case involved a request from the Gila River Police Department in July. Detectives were asked to identify a deceased woman who was exposed to outdoor elements and in an advanced state of decomposition.
Officials were able to forensically examine several tattoos leading Gila River police to be able to notify the family of the victims.
The recognition software has 1.4 million images of tattoos currently in the database that were obtained during criminal booking procedures, DPS said.
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Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.
The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.
Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.
Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.
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