1. How long has the concept of law enforcement using facial recognition to identify criminals been gaining momentum in the United States?

The concept of law enforcement using facial recognition technology to identify criminals has been gaining momentum in the United States for several years. The use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement agencies began in the early 2000s, with the first known use being in 2001 when the FBI started using the technology to identify criminals in mugshots. Since then, the technology has become increasingly popular and has been adopted by many law enforcement agencies across the country. In recent years, the use of facial recognition technology has become more widespread, with many cities and states passing laws to allow its use by law enforcement. However, the technology has also been the subject of controversy, with concerns raised about its accuracy, privacy implications, and potential for misuse.