Variation of craniofacial representation in passport photographs
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-08-2015-0039 |
| Published date | 07 December 2015 |
| Pages | 239-250 |
| Date | 07 December 2015 |
| Author | Vanessa Rose Spiteri,Glenn Porter,Richard Kemp |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology |
Variation of craniofacial representation
in passport photographs
Vanessa Rose Spiteri, Glenn Porter and Richard Kemp
Vanessa Rose Spiteri is based
at College of Arts, Society and
Education, James Cook
University, Queensland,
Australia.
Glenn Porter is Associate
Professor in Photomedia at
the James Cook University,
Queensland, Australia.
Richard Kemp is based at
Department of Psychology,
University of New South Wales,
Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
Purpose –Passport photographs are routinely incorporated onto official travel documentation to ascertain
an individual’s identity. In Australia, passport photographs may be provided by a range of retail suppliers
and photographed to a set of standards developed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Whether
these standards can provide consistency between craniofacial representation and other parameters
throughout individual subjects is unknown. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach –This study tests the consistency of passport images with regard to
parameters that are likely to affect suitability for use as passport documents. These parameters include,
space and dimensionality, craniofacial representation, image sharpness, exposure and colour rendition.
Findings –The examination found there was a significant degree of variation among the test results despite
being completed using the same instructional guidelines designed to produce uniformity.
Originality/value –The paper identifies a significant degree of variation among test results and suggests
further review.
Keywords Evidence, Anatomy, Craniofacial representation, Passport photographs, Photo anthropometry,
Photography
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Passport photographs are the visual representation or likeness of an individual and are included
on official travel documentation (passports) to validate the holders’identity. Establishing identity
on travel documentation using photographs is a worldwide convention applied by immigration
authorities. The reliance on photographs for passport identification places a significant level of
importance on the image for quality and accuracy in regard to how facial features and biometric
information is represented. It also raises challenges for the representation of the real because the
resultant image may be considerably affected by the photographic process and recording
methods (Porter and Kennedy, 2012).
There has been little investigation into how photographic processes may influence the reliability of
people being identified using images. A study by Kemp et al. (1997) analysed the accuracy of lay
persons in their ability to identify individuals from photographs. The study found that when subjects
were requiredto decide whether an image on a credit card depicted the person in possession of
the card. The studies found only approximately half of the decisions were correct. This result is
consistent with other similar studies and indicates a considerable rate of error for unfamiliar faces
that may be unsatisfactory within the function of border control and national security. Comparing
passport photographs with people face-to-face was a more difficult task than anticipated.
To minimise potential error and increase reliability, the identification of individuals relies upon training
officers to increase skills in this identification task. However, an important concern remains regarding
Received 28 August 2015
Revised 28 August 2015
Accepted 2 October 2015
This research was conducted with
ethics approval from the Human
Ethics Committee, University of
Western Sydneydated 6 August
2013 (ethicsapproval No. H10242).
DOI 10.1108/JCRPP-08-2015-0039 VOL. 1 NO. 4 2015, pp.239-250, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2056-3841
j
JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE
j
PAGE239
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