State police departments to use 3D facial recognition software

ForensicaGPS turns low-resolution photos into higher quality photos so police can better identify criminals. Photo courtesy of Animetrics.

Pennsylvania police are aiming to be more likely to identify criminals from blurry surveillance camera shots with the rollout of a new imaging tool.

The Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET), a state agency that acts as a public safety information hub, will use ForensicaGPS, a software created by New Hampshire-based company Animetrics that can turn low-resolution images into higher quality 3D images that police can then run through JNET’s mugshot database, Animetrics announced earlier this month.

Police in countries like Switzerland and Saudi Arabia use the software, according to the release. This will be the first time it’s used in the United States.

More than 800 cops and other public safety officers statewide have or will be trained to use ForensicaGPS. A spokeswoman for Animetrics could not immediately tell us if Philadelphia or its surrounding counties would use the software.