The Next Mugshot

Abstract

Pushed by technology and international regulations the world of identities is rapidly changing. Among others, the Dutch government is obliged to keep up. In line with these developments, a special facility for execution of identification processes for crime and migration purposes was nationally commissioned in 2015, called the ‘’Basisvoorziening Identiteitsvaststelling’’. Among others, this facility is used by the Dutch National Police to execute identification processes on migrants, aliens, suspects, convicts and witnesses. Throughout the years the appliance has become out-dated. Expensive defects and poor user experiences have caused the Police to initiate the development of a new design. Research unveiled that the Police is placed in a difficult position by relying highly on a product which functionality depends on numerous (uncontrollable) factors. The envisioned product requires be more flexible and future proof. Additionally, it was concluded that standardisation of a new enrolment facility for all identity related governmental agencies is feasible and desired. The Police was focused to design for: they set the highest requirements and have the most difficult users. Technology research provided that future identification will involve more biometric technologies and that a stationary enrolment facility will remain necessary for the coming decade. Using the Vision in Product Design method the current product and context were evaluated. A new user interaction journey was developed to provide a foundation for future development. The participant and the product were envisioned to become more involved in the process. It was chosen to create an unjudged experience for the participant. For the operator, the feeling of police workmanship should be emphasised. This led to the design goal: “Design the next identity enrolment facility for the Dutch National Police”. In order to improve the current situation, the following goals are formulated: Improving the user interaction; Inducing flexibility by: reducing dependency; implementing futureproofing; enabling versatile employability; anticipating identity technology. This initiated the ideation process. Through iterative prototyping, sketching and brainstorming a concept was designed. Eventually, an argumentation is provided on how the Main Appliance for Identification (‘MAID’) meets the design goals. Eventually, recommendations and unused ideas are provided for the client for future development.