73 people have been brought before the courts for identity fraud since the introduction of the facial recognition system at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), last year.

Minister of National Security Robert Montague, says 473 persons have been identified with multiple passports.

He says the use of facial recognition technology is part of measures being implemented by the government to enhance the country’s border-management controls.

Facial recognition is a type of biometric software capable of identifying a specific individual in digital image. The system was implemented in a bid to further safeguard the identity of persons.

It was initially introduced at the 15 immigration kiosks installed at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, and the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

Mr. Montague notes that facial recognition is part of an integrated, cutting-edge, technology-driven border-management architecture.

In the meantime, the minister says the government will be collaborating with the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (Impacs) and the Joint Regional Communication Centre to undertake the border security training course.

He says with more than three million passengers crossing the nation’s shores annually over the past 10 years, strengthening border security and territorial integrity, is a priority of the government in ensuring a safer Jamaica.

He was speaking at the opening of a joint national border security training workshop at the police officers’ club in St. Andrew, yesterday (May 1).