Home  Back Topics CD Orders  INDEX 
Biometrics
  Biometric systems use physical characteristics to identify a user.

They are used in the fight against identity theft where a person pretends to be someone else to gain access to unauthorised material.

Biometric systems, although not foolproof, offer a high degree of security. Most however involve expensive equipment.

Biometric systems in use today are...

 

  
Retina scans Low power infra-red beam is projected onto the pattern of blood vessels at the back of the eye.

Highly reliable, as no two people have the same retina pattern.

 
Iris scan The pattern of the iris in the eye is scanned.

 
Fingerprint recognition Every person has their own individual fingerprint.

Some laptop computers have fingerprint scanners built in to authenticate a user.
Face recognition The shape of a person's face can be scanned and compared with stored data.
Voiceprint recognition Identifying a person from the quality of their voice.
   

Other biometric systems include...

DNA Identification

Hand Geometry Identification - Identifies users by the shape of their hand.

Palm Vein Identification - Identifies users by the pattern of blood vessels in their palms.

Signature Recognition

Human Gait identification - the way you walk!

Ear canal identification

even...

Body Odour Identification