Facial image comparison by video superimposition
Facial wipes don't wash: Facial image comparison by video superimposition reduces the accuracy of face matching decisions AbstractIn cases of disputed CCTV identification, expert testimony based on the results of analysis by facial image comparison may be presented to the Jury. However, many of the techniques lack empirical data to support their use. Using a within participants design, we compared the accuracy of face matching decisions when images were presented using a 'facial wipe' technique (where one image is superimposed on another, and the display gradually 'wipes' between the two), to decisions based on static images. Experiment 1 used high quality image pairs, Experiment 2 used disguised target images, and Experiment 3 used degraded target images. Across all three experiments, rather than optimising performance, facial wipes reduced accuracy relative to static presentations. Further, there is evidence that video wipes increase false positives, and therefore may increase the likelihood that images of two different people will be incorrectly judged to show the same individual.
Facial image comparison by video superimposition
The aim of presenting chimeric images (formed from opposing halves of a pair of same or different faces) in court settings is to optimise the accuracy of identification decisions based on CCTV evidence. The experiments reported here examined the utility of this technique. Experiment 1 examined the accuracy of face matching with vertically split, aligned chimeric images, misaligned hemi-faces and full-face images. Experiment 2 replicated the first experiment but replaced the misaligned images with opposing hemi-faces separated by a gap. The final experiment used horizontally split faces. All three experiments showed that matching was less accurate with aligned chimeric images than with full-face images. Furthermore, the pattern of responses obtained with chimeric images differed significantly from full-face matching and misaligned/separated hemi-face matching. Chimeric images produced a bias towards same responses even when the face halves were different. The results suggest caution in the use of chimeric images in court.
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