Biometric immigration control at Heathrow airport

The Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) will now enable registered passengers to enter the UK without queuing to see an immigration officer at passport control. Instead individuals signed up to the scheme will be able to walk up to an automated barrier, simply look into a camera and if the system recognises them enter the UK, leaving immigration officers to concentrate on other priorities.

This biometric technology works by photographing a passenger’s iris patterns and storing the data in a database, together with their passport details. Only those individuals who have had their details authenticated by an immigration officer are able to use the technology. As no two iris patterns are alike, the system will quickly and securely recognise each registered individual when they look into the camera.

Terminal 1 is the third terminal at Heathrow to benefit from the new technology, which was introduced as a pilot in Terminals 2 and 4 in June 2005.

IRIS is part of the e-Borders programme - a partnership between the Home Office, border control, law enforcement and intelligence agencies. A one-off enrolment for IRIS takes about 5 minutes and is free. Registration is conducted by immigration staff in the departures area of the airport.

Further information:

IRIS

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Source : European Biometrics Portal