Super Recognisers & Hyper-Realistic Face Masks - New Research

New research by Professor Josh Davis, an Honorary Fellow of the Association of Super Recognisers, and other identification experts has shown that human Super Recognisers can assist law enforcement agencies as criminals develop the use of hyper-realistic masks. The abstract:

Hyper-realistic silicone masks provide a viable route to identity fraud. Over the last decade, more than 40 known criminal acts have been committed by perpetrators using this type of disguise. With the increasing availability and bespoke sophistication of these masks, research must now focus on ways to enhance their detection. In this study, we investigate whether super-recognisers (SRs), people who excel at identity recognition, are more likely to detect this type of fraud, in comparison to typical-recogniser controls. Across three tasks, we examined mask detection rates in the absence of a pre-task prompt (covert task), and again after making participants aware of their use in criminal settings (explicit task). Finally, participants were asked to indicate which aspects of the masks could support their detection (regions of interest task). The findings show an SR advantage for the detection of hyper-realistic masks across the covert and explicit mask detection tasks. In addition, the eye, mouth, and nose regions appear to be particularly indicative of the presence of a mask. The lack of natural skin texture, proportional features, expressiveness, and asymmetry are also salient cues. The theoretical and applied implications of these findings are discussed.

The super-recogniser advantage extends to the detection of hyper-realistic face masks - LSE Research Online

Course Spans Three Continents

Last week, the on-line Super Recogniser course had students from Asia, Europe and South America. Input was given by Prof Josh Davis, top performing Super Recogniser, Kelly Desborough and a counter terrorism expert. The students attained excellent “Z Scores” and qualifying as SRs. The next course is 17th-19th June. Why not join us!

Make Up Thwarts Automated Facial Recognition Systems

Too many law enforcement agencies and security companies rely on automated facial recognition. As this article shows, make-up can thwart computerised systems. Human super recognisers can enhance automated recognition software and make venues and communities safer. AND they can see through make-up, masks and other disguises.

https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/15/make_up_thwart_facial_recognition/

Martyn's Law & Super Recognisers

If you a UK security provider or major venue (or involved in policing at such), then the introduction of "Martyn's Law" or Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, mandates you to provide better measures to prevent attacks like the Manchester Arena bomb. BUT wherever you are based in the world, keeping places and communities safer is our duty in security and policing.

The use of human Super Recognisers, using their natural talent to identify known suspects and trained in spotting suspicious behaviour, will give you an extra tactic to beat the terrorist or other criminal gangs. By knowing which members of your team have this skill, you can deploy them to observe key or vulnerable locations. Details of the new law are at this link:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xe2k5zylpo

Super Recogniser Course Covers Five Continents!

Last week, SRI Ltd ran a course for students from across five continents – Africa, Asia, Europe and North & South America, with independent testing by the University of Greenwich.  The students included police officers, a CCTV operator, identity verifiers and corporate investigators

The use of human Super Recognisers is spreading across the globe. Some of your staff will have this natural skill. The SRI team can find your Super Recognisers and train them to use it effectively in an operational environment, producing (where needed) evidence which is admissible in court. This will enhance your law enforcement teams, border force, CCTV control room, security officers or any other unit where identifying persons of interest as quickly as possible is critical to your success.

The next on-line course is 25th-27th February, but a bespoke on-line or face-to-face can be run for twelve or more students.

Super Recognisers International - Security Services & Training