Methodology for Evaluating Statistical Equivalence in Face Recognition Using Live Subjects with Dissimilar Skin Tones

The general purpose of this study is to propose a methodology that can be employed in the application of facial recognition systems (FRS) to determine if a statistically significant difference exists in a facial recognition system’s ability to match two dissimilar skin tone populations to their enrolled images. A particular objective is to test the face recognition system’s ability to recognize dark or light skin tone subjects. In addition to the direct comparison of results from two different populations, this study uses a Box Behnken Design to examine four factors commonly effecting facial recognition systems. Four factors were tested, the horizontal angle of the camera viewing the subject, both horizontally to the left and right; the vertical angle, both above and below the subject’s line of sight, ;the distance the subjects are from the camera, and the intensity of the illumination on the subject. Experimentation was approached from the assumption that subjects are cooperative, following guidelines for proper enrollment and submission for matching. The experimentation of the four factors was conducted using two sets of three subjects. One set was dark skin tone males, and the second set was light skin tone males. The results of the study showed a significance statistical difference at p = 0.05 level between the two skin tones, with greater difficulty identifying the light skin tone test subjects than those with dark skin tone.