Showdown between Top Identity Verifiers

The Glasgow Face Matching Test 2 (GFMT2), a pioneering face identification ability test, has been developed by psychologists from UNSW Sydney and the University of York. This new version of the test is primarily used in Australia to identify individuals with exceptional face recognition abilities, known as super-recognisers.

The GFMT2 targets both high-performing and low-performing face recognition individuals. It involves matching faces across changes that make face identification difficult in real-world tasks. This test is designed to help identify super-recognisers, who can then be utilised to review identity matches made by facial recognition software and help prevent false identity matches.

The development of the GFMT2 was a collaborative effort with the Australian Passport Office (DFAT). It is set to be used in a number of countries including Australia, New Zealand, UK, and Canada. All tests are available free for scientific use, making it accessible for researchers worldwide.

Professor Mike Burton from the School of Psychology at the University of York and Dr Rob Jenkins from the same school were instrumental in the development of the GFMT2 test. They provided statements emphasising the importance of the test in addressing the requirements of professional groups and the advancements in scientific understanding of face perception over the last ten years.

The publication of the GFMT2 test was featured in the journal Behavior Research Methods with the DOI 10.3758/s13428-021-01638-x. One of the criticisms of the database proposal is that face recognition software is prone to large amounts of errors that can lead to wrongful arrests. However, the GFMT2 test aims to mitigate these errors by identifying and utilising super-recognisers.

Moreover, the new GFMT2 test allows for before and after comparisons to assess the impact of training and other interventions. This feature is particularly valuable for law enforcement and security agencies, border control, intelligence services, and forensic departments requiring high levels of facial identification accuracy.

As the Australian federal government considers the introduction of a centralised database for photos collected by various agencies, the improved GFMT2 test comes at a crucial time. It offers a tool to ensure the accuracy and reliability of facial recognition technology, contributing significantly to identity verification and fraud prevention efforts.