Found this story over at Reuters, but seems to come originally from the Washington Post. The FBI are embarking on a billion dollar biometrics database to help them identify individuals in the US and abroad. Cuurently, they are compiling fingerprint, facial images and palm prints, and plan to extend the range of biometric data ir receives - I wonder whether DNA profiles will eventually make it in to this?

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/i...ws&sp=true

Is this required to fight crime at home and abroad, and "protect us"? How far will this diminish an individual's capacity to live without identification?

I have heard that FBI has a budget of $1 billion for this database project. So, they would be planning to compile a huge number of finger-prints, facial images, etc. I wonder if it will be used for the right purposes as US is already not happy with a lot of countries and a project at such a time will prove to be beneficial for US.

That seems to be a big project and can really help in fighting crime and terrorism. Such a huge database can have details of almost all the criminals and terrorists.

However, there is no doubt that it can be misused to a great extent and can be used against other countries to take revenge.

I suppose the key point is to which uses the database is put and by whom.