Here's another great biometrics article that shares all the traits of the Slate.com article posted today: historical context, utility, broader applicability, and an honest assessment of the issues surrounding the technology and the role of the democratic political process. There are also some good quotes from the high-ranking military brass that have the most experience with large-scale biometric deployments.
One thing made it easier. Just a month before the April jailbreak, Afghan officials, using technology provided by the United States, recorded eye scans, fingerprints and facial images of each militant and criminal detainee in the giant Sarposa Prison.
Within days of the breakout, about 35 escapees were recaptured at internal checkpoints and border crossings; they were returned to prison after their identities were confirmed by biometric files.
One escapee was seized during a routine traffic stop less than two miles from his home village. Another was recaptured at a local recruiting station where he was trying to infiltrate Afghan security forces.
Read the whole thing.
