The US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is embarking on a $1 billion project to build the world's largest computer database of biometrics to give the government more ways to identify people at home and abroad, the Washington Post reported on Friday. According to the paper, the FBI has already started compiling digital images of faces, fingerprints and palm patterns in its systems. In January of next year, the agency -- which focuses on violations of federal law, espionage by foreigners and terrorist activities -- expects to award a 10-year contract to expand the amount and kinds of biometric information it receives. If successful, the system, called Next Generation Identification, will collect the biometric information in one centralized location for identification and forensic purposes.
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