1. A method for establishing a searchable library of human images, comprising: standardizing images for automated comparison, including images generated by a plurality of imagers having different types of sensors, ranges of sensitivity, and resolution; specifying standards for acceptable image quality from said plurality of imagers; specifying standards for metadata accompanying transmission or storage of said images; providing access control provisions for transmission and storage of the images; establishing procedures for detecting and correcting errors in the images; and storing standardized images in the library.