Systems and methods for applying commercial web search technologies to biometric matching and identification

A system for identifying an individual, comprising:

• an operating interface via which a user requests identification of an individual via the system;
• a biometric identification information imager that images at least one first input biometric identifier for the individual in support of the identification request;
• a biometric information converter that converts the at least one first input biometric identifier for the individual to an identification text string;
• a text-based search engine that compares the individual identification text string to a plurality of stored text strings representing biometric identification information for a population of identifiable individuals;
• and
• an output device that executes an action based on a result of the comparing when the comparing identifies whether the individual is a member of the population of identifiable individuals.

A non-transitory computer readable medium on which is stored instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of a method for identifying an individual, the method comprising:

• receiving a request for identification of an individual, the request for identification including input biometric identification information for the individual from one or more data sources;
• converting the input biometric identification information for the individual to an identification text string;
• comparing the identification text string to a plurality of stored text strings representing biometric identification information for a population of identifiable individuals;
• and
• outputting a result of the comparing to identify whether the individual is a member of the population of identifiable individuals.