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USSOCOM maps future of battlefield identity intelligence, biometrics: The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is laying the groundwork for a significant expansion of its identity intelligence and exploitation capabilities, issuing a sweeping Request for Information (RFI) that signals where future battlefield and counterterrorism technologies are heading.
https://www.biometricupdate.com/202601/ussocom-maps-future-of-battlefield-identity-intelligence-biometrics
NIST releases new forensic genetic reference material to help crime laboratories analyze challenging cases
NIST has released a new forensic DNA reference material, the first to include degraded DNA as well as mixtures of high-quality DNA from different individuals. The reference material will help crime laboratories accurately analyze genetic evidence that has degraded or contains DNA from multiple individuals. The DNA laboratories can then use the samples to help train analysts and validate forensic tests.
https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2026/02/nist-releases-new-forensic-genetic-reference-material-help-crime
DoD expands research on biometric enabled hearing protection systems
The Department of Defense (DoD) has received a $7.5 million program increase in the Fiscal Year 2026 defense appropriations bill to accelerate development of next generation hearing protection integrated with biometric sensing capabilities.
https://www.biometricupdate.com/202602/dod-expands-research-on-biometric-enabled-hearing-protection-systems
Army CID announces new director, special agent L. Scott Moreland: The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is pleased to announce the appointment of Special Agent L. Scott Moreland to the Senior Executive Service and his selection as the Army CID Director, effective 11 January 2026.
https://www.cid.army.mil/Media-Resources/Releases/Article-Display/Article/4375433/army-cid-announces-new-director-special-agent-l-scott-moreland/
China’s aspirations to weaponize data: China’s aspirations to weaponize Data to Advance its military and economic ambitions are clear. https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2026/01/08/chinas_aspirations_to_weaponize_data_1157456.html
SOCOM exploring how AI can process biometrics, other data gathered by operators: SOCOM said it was looking to further “explore” various data collection capabilities and how AI can potentially analyze information from biometrics, documents, open-source intelligence and communications exploitation methods.
https://defensescoop.com/2026/01/08/special-operations-ai-data-collection-site-exploitation-socom/
NCIS forensic consultants crack the toughest cases with advanced technology, creativity: This article provides a glimpse into the real-world work of NCIS forensic consultants, who use advanced scientific methods to analyze evidence and solve complex cases.
https://www.ncis.navy.mil/Media/News/Article/4370837/ncis-forensic-consultants-crack-the-toughest-cases-with-advanced-technology-cre/
Deepfake-as-a-service revolutionizing biometrics spoofing and identity fraud: report: The rise of AI has allowed cybercriminals to access deepfake images, synthetic identities, cloned voices and even biometric datasets for as little as US$5.
https://www.biometricupdate.com/202601/deepfake-as-a-service-revolutionizing-biometrics-spoofing-and-identity-fraud-report