Low prevalence match and mismatch detection in simultaneous face matching: Influence of face recognition ability and feature focus guidance

Accurate simultaneous face matching of photos of unfamiliar faces to verify identity is key to many security and policing operations. However, matching is error-prone, especially when the prevalence of target items is low. In two experiments, the current research examined whether the use of internal or external facial feature guidance scales, and recruitment of participants with superior face recognition ability would reduce low prevalence effect impact. In Experiment 1, no information as to low prevalence of items was provided. Super-recognisers (n = 317) significantly outperformed typical-range-ability controls (n = 452), while internal feature guidance significantly enhanced accuracy in all prevalence conditions (10-90%, 50-50%, 90-10% mismatched-matched). However, an unexpected paradoxical prevalence criterion shift effect in controls meant accuracy tended to be highest in low prevalence conditions. In Experiment 2, top-end-of-typical range ability participants (n = 567) were informed as to low matched or mismatched item prevalence, and this time, the expected low prevalence effects were observed. No facial feature focus guidance effects were significant. The results enhance theoretical understanding of low prevalence effects while offering support for the deployment of super-recognisers, and the use of facial feature guidance scales in the identity verification workplace.

精确匹配不熟悉面孔的图片以验证身份，对于众多安全与警务活动至关重要。然而，匹配过程易于出错，尤其在目标物品普及率较低的情况下。在本研究的两项实验中，研究者探讨了内部或外部面部特征引导的使用是否能够规模化，以及招募具有卓越面部识别能力的参与者是否能够减轻低普及率效应的影响。在实验1中，未提供有关物品低普及率的信息。超识别者（n = 317）在表现上显著优于典型范围能力的对照组（n = 452），而内部特征引导在所有普及率条件下（10%-90%，50%-50%，90%-10%错配-错配）均显著提升了准确性。然而，对照组中意外出现的悖论性普及率标准偏差效应意味着在低普及率条件下，准确性往往最高。在实验2中，典型范围能力顶端参与者（n = 567）被告知有关低匹配或错配物品的普及率，此次观察到了预期的低普及率效应。面部特征引导效应不显著。这些结果深化了我们对低普及率效应的理论理解，并为在身份验证工作场所部署超识别者和使用面部特征引导尺度提供了支持。