It was just the third day of operation for a new facial comparison biometric system now being used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Washington Dulles International Airport when a man presenting a French passport was discovered to in fact be from Republic of Congo.
Customs Agents Use New Facial Recognition Technology to Nab Impostor at Airport
It was just the third day of operation for a new facial comparison biometric system now being used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Washington Dulles International Airport when a man presenting a French passport was discovered to in fact be from Republic of Congo.

A 26-year-old man traveling from Sao Paulo, Brazil presented a French passport to the CBP officer conducting primary inspections, according to Homeland Security Today. The agency's new facial comparison biometric technology confirmed the man was not a match to the passport he presented.
Upon further inspection, his authentic identification was located in his shoe.
"Facial recognition technology is an important step forward for CBP in protecting the United States from all types of threats," said Casey Durst, CBP’s Director of the Baltimore Field Office. "Terrorists and criminals continually look for creative methods to enter the U.S. including using stolen genuine documents. The new facial recognition technology virtually eliminates the ability for someone to use a genuine document that was issued to someone else."
The impostor intercepted at Washington Dulles International Airport was the first impostor detected using the new technology.
More Technology

Flock Safety and Coreforce Partner to Enhance Real-Time Awareness and Operational Efficiency for Law Enforcement
A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.
Read More →From the Show Floor: DroneSense by Versaterm
Learn about DroneSense by Versaterm as POLICE talks with Ryan Bracken, head of product. He explains the rapid advancements in drone technology, capabilities, and software.
Read More →From the Show Floor: Versaterm
Learn more about Versaterm as POLICE visits with Rohan Galloway-Dawkins, chief product officer, to explore the company’s focus on a purpose-built platform for public safety.
Read More →From the Show Floor: Motorola Solutions
In this video, learn about the Motorola Solutions ecosystem and how it provides tools that enhance the efficiency and safety of police officers. You’ll hear about the APX NEXT radio and SVX system, Assisted Narrative, and more.
Read More →Learning How to Manage Your Fleet?
Watch this tutorial on how fleet management platforms work. You’ll see how easily you can integrate fleet telematics, dash cameras, and asset management in a single pane of glass and manage your fleet more effectively.
Read More →From the Show Floor: Semtech
Learn about the latest ruggedized routers designed for public safety vehicles as POLICE visits with Greg Hill of Semtech. These routers are equipped with the latest 5G technology.
Read More →How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →
Genetec Showcases Its Latest Public Safety Innovations at IACP 2025
Genetec demonstrated its Cloudrunner, Citigraf, and Clearance during IACP 2025 to show how they can provide law enforcement with a unified situational awareness to make cities safer.
Read More →
Ohio’s Statewide Drone First Responder Program to Take Flight
Over the next two years, the Ohio DFR Pilot Program will equip municipalities with advanced drone systems, deliver comprehensive training for first responders, and enable FAA-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations.
Read More →
Tampa Police Department Deploys More Than 950 5G Smartphones
Tampa Police Department has deployed more than 950 5G-enabled smartphones through Verizon Frontline to support its Connected Officer initiative and enhance field communications.
Read More →
