SULHAMSTEAD, UK (AFP) — Artificial intelligence and facial recognition software are seen by some as the future of crime-fighting around the world.

But British police say it has to go hand in hand with more traditional methods of detection, including the use of so-called "super-recognizers."

Forces across the country have been using officers who have an exceptional memory for faces and an above-average ability to identify people.

Only one percent of the population has the "super-power," said Tina Wallace, a surveillance expert with Thames Valley Police.

Her team began recruiting the specialist officers in 2017 and now have about 20 on their books, including Alex Thorburn, an officer for 17 years.

"I've always been good with faces. So when they put a notice out about the tests, I did it!" Thorburn told AFP. "I was shown pictures, dated between 10 and 30 years old, of 10 people. I had to find them in the crowd in the shopping center."

"I found them all, but they looked a lot different from how they did in the photos. That was really interesting."

As AI and facial recognition technology develop at a rapid pace, human skills should not be discounted, insisted Neville.

"It isn't really a competition with facial recognition," he said. "They can be used together. AI is good with high-quality, front-on images (as with passports at airport e-gates)."

According to Neville, demand for super-recognizers is growing, particularly from police forces in Germany and Australia.

Professor Davis has posted a basic 14-point test online for anyone curious to check if they have the powers of recall that make them a super-recognizer.

"If you get less than 10 or 12, you are not going to be a super-recognizer," he said. "But if you reach 14, contact me please!"