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FAQs

"Commanders in the field have acknowledged two tactical 'game changers': constant surveillance from advances in manned and unmanned aircraft, and the application of law enforcement forensic and biometric techniques on the battlefield. These capabilities remove violent extremists' greatest defense - anonymity."

- Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero (Ret.), Director,
Joint IED Defeat Organization, 2011-2013

  1. What is the role of the Defense Forensics and Biometrics Agency?

    The Defense Forensics and Biometrics Agency (DFBA) is charged with executing the Secretary of the Army's Executive Agent responsibilities for DoW forensics and biometrics. In this role, DFBA leads, consolidates, and coordinates forensics and biometrics activities across DoW in support of the National Defense Strategy.

  2. Who does DFBA work with in support of its mission?

    DFBA works with Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, Military, and Academic partners to achieve the goal of greater unity of effort in the enterprise.

  3. What is the brief history of DFBA?

    DFBA represents the synthesis of Department of War (DoW) capabilities in forensics and biometrics. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACID) has maintained forensics labs since World War II, which in 1996 were consolidated into a single facility, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL). In contrast to forensics' long history in DoW, biometrics is a recent addition. Congress designated the Secretary of the Army as the Executive Agent (EA) for biometrics programs within DoW in 2000. The Biometrics Management Office was initially established under CIO/G-6 oversight, but transitioned to the Biometrics Task Force (BTF) under G-3/5/7 in 2006. The BTF continued changing to better serve mission requirements, becoming the Biometrics Identity Management Agency (BIMA) in 2010. In 2012, BIMA was shifted from G-3/5/7 to OPMG. In 2013, SecArmy approved the General Order redesignating BIMA as DFBA and as a Field Operating Agency (FOA) incorporating both forensics and biometrics capabilities.