Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
US mom blames face recognition tech for flawed arrest
Porcha Woodruff. (Photo: New York Post)
Latest News
August 7, 2023

US mom blames face recognition tech for flawed arrest

SAN FRANCISCO, United States, (AFP) – A mother is suing the city of Detroit in the United States, saying unreliable facial recognition technology led to her being falsely arrested for carjacking while she was eight months pregnant.

Porcha Woodruff was getting her two children ready for school the morning of February 16 when a half-dozen police officers showed up at her door to arrest her, taking her away in handcuffs, the 32-year-old Detroit woman said in a federal lawsuit.

“They presented her with an arrest warrant for robbery and carjacking, leaving her baffled and assuming it was a joke, given her visibly pregnant state,” her attorney wrote in a lawsuit accusing the city of false arrest.

The suit, filed Thursday, argues that police relied on facial recognition technology that should not be trusted, given “inherent flaws and unreliability, particularly when attempting to identify Black individuals” such as Woodruff.

Some experts say facial recognition technology is more prone to error when analyzing the faces of people of color.

In a statement Sunday, the Wayne County prosecutor’s office said the warrant that led to Woodruff’s arrest was on solid ground, NBC News reported.

“The warrant was appropriate based upon the facts,” it said.

The case began in late January, when police investigating a reported carjacking by a gunman used imagery from a gas station’s security video to track down a woman believed to have been involved in the crime, according to the suit.

Facial recognition analysis from the video identified Woodruff as a possible match, the suit said.

Woodruff’s picture from a 2015 arrest was in a set of photos shown to the carjacking victim, who picked her out, according to the lawsuit.

Woodruff was freed on bond the day of her arrest and the charges against her were later dropped due to insufficient evidence, the civil complaint maintained.

“This case highlights the significant flaws associated with using facial recognition technology to identify criminal suspects,” the suit argued.

Woodruff’s suit seeks unspecified financial damages as well as legal fees.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

UPDATE: Councillor urges calm in Rose Heights
Latest News, News
UPDATE: Councillor urges calm in Rose Heights
Three killed in alleged confrontation with cops
December 16, 2025
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Councillor for Montego Bay South East, Arthur Lynch, has urged residents to be calm following Tuesday’s fiery early-morning protes...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
CASE students protest security concerns following alleged rape
Latest News, News
CASE students protest security concerns following alleged rape
December 16, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Students at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) mounted a protest on the institution’s western campus on Tues...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Global Humanity Network Incorporated launches Beyond the Book Bag Initiative
Latest News, News
Global Humanity Network Incorporated launches Beyond the Book Bag Initiative
December 16, 2025
TRELAWNY, Jamaica—Global Humanity Network Incorporated (GHN) on Monday launched its Beyond the Book Bag Initiative, signalling a long-term commitment ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Mexico criticizes US for classifying fentanyl as ‘weapon of mass destruction’
International News, Latest News
Mexico criticizes US for classifying fentanyl as ‘weapon of mass destruction’
December 16, 2025
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP)—Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday the fight against fentanyl should focus on root causes of the crisis, as sh...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Nessa B toasts to ‘Never Change’
Entertainment, Latest News
Nessa B toasts to ‘Never Change’
BY KEDIESHA PERRY Observer writer 
December 16, 2025
Reggae and dancehall artiste Nessa B has released a heartfelt song rooted in resilience, spiritual grounding and unwavering determination titled  Neve...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Marcue sheds light on alcoholism
Entertainment, Latest News
Marcue sheds light on alcoholism
December 16, 2025
Reggae fusion artiste Marcue has opted to use his art to shed some much-needed light on alcoholism. The singer who recently released a much talked abo...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Nhance and Flippa Moggela release ‘Rich Lifestyle’
Entertainment, Latest News
Nhance and Flippa Moggela release ‘Rich Lifestyle’
December 16, 2025
Arguably one of the hottest artistes in dancehall at present, Nhance has linked up with the "Flossing King" himself, Flippa Moggela, to release a new ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
UPDATE: Two of three men identified in Rose Heights fatal shooting
Latest News, News
UPDATE: Two of three men identified in Rose Heights fatal shooting
December 16, 2025
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Two of the three men who were killed Monday in an alleged confrontation with members of security forces in Rose Heights, St James ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct