Iris scanning – a biometric for identification and security uses – includes products that capture, read and authenticate iris patterns. Through some applications, national databases of what this niche industry calls registries are in place to protect children and senior citizens but also to better identify jail and prison inmates to avoid mistaken releases.

After an embarrassing release, Utah’s Davis County Jail will use iris scanners on inmates. The scans are stored in a national database and can quickly be pulled up to make sure a person is who they say they are. A year ago Davis County accidentally released a wrong inmate.

One source, BI2 Technologies’ primary products are software applications and information technology hardware that enable public and private organizations to use iris biometric identification technologies to quickly and accurately identify a person. Such a solution consists of Iridian Technologies operating system, Panasonic’s Iris Camera, a personal computer, BI2’s software application.

A Child Project, often “marketed” locally by police and sheriffs, is a secure nationwide network and registry, which enables law enforcement and social service agencies throughout the country to positively identify children through iris biometric recognition technology. Another service called Senior Safety Net is similar to Child Project but aimed at people suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.