Biometrics

= Biometrics = toc

Biometrics is the use of unique biological information to identify an individual. There are several technologies that identify people based on retinal scan, voice, fingerprint and hand geometry. The advantage of this type of identification is that it requires the person to be physically present at the time of identification. It is also much more difficult for someone to claim another person's identity as biological information is unique to an individual and cannot be easily forged or recreated. Use of biometrics as an identification system does have a drawback in that it requires an enrollment so that initial biometrics can be recorded and stored to enable comparison on subsequent scans. Biometrics are most commonly used in the AFIS (automatic fingerprint identification system) database used by law enforcement personnel to identify criminals and victims of crime.



==** Why Does it Matter? ** == Biometrics have interesting possibilities within the field of information science. Any information center that uses a database to collect and store information can potentially use biometric data as a means of controlling information access. Many universities rely on hand geometry to grant access to dining halls, dorms, fitness facilities and more. This allows students access to various facilities even if their student ID card is not in their possession. Biometrics are a convenient way to access information and services as they do not require cards or passwords. A major drawback to biometrics is that the public tends not to trust them as they feel that there is a potential for identity theft. In reality, biometrics are more secure than cards and passwords as they cannot be easily reproduced and are unique to each individual. = = = = = Example =

media type="youtube" key="B14ZiNdcOx8?version=3" height="360" width="640" align="center"

**References**
The Biometric Consortium. (2006). //An introduction to biometrics//. Retrieved from http://www.biometrics.org/html/introduction.html

Meesh, J. (Producer). (2009).//Biometrics documentary//. [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B14ZiNdcOx8

Michigan State University. (2009). //An overview of biometric recognition//. Retrieved from http://biometrics.cse.msu.edu/info.html

Wilson, Tracy V. (11 November 2005). //How Biometrics Works//. Retrieved from http://science.howstuffworks.com/biometrics.htm