![]() Even blind people can be identified, as long as the sightless eye still has an iris. Genetically identical twins have different iris patterns and a person's two irises are as different as the irises of two different individuals. For these reasons, the iris is an ideal subject for biometric identification, because of its extensive variations. “What really determines biometric power is the degree of randomness and the degree of complexity in the pattern,” commented John Daugman, Professor in the Computer Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, UK, who developed the algorithms behind all commercial applications of iris-recognition software. In addition, scar tissue, dirt, grease and creases on the fingers can hinder the process of obtaining and comparing fingerprints. Fingerprints are easily obtainable and highly unique to each person, although the way in which they are compared can make it difficult to clearly distinguish individuals. Currently, fingerprints are the most commonly used biometric they have been in use for over a century, particularly in law enforcement. In addition, biometric measures should be easily obtainable. There should be minimum variability within a person's lifetime, but maximum variability between persons. The requirement that biometric data must be highly unique to each person also limits the physical features that can be used. And there is little point in stealing, sharing or duplicating biometric data because they are essentially useless without the accompanying physical characteristic. Advocates of the technology argue that biometric information is much safer and more reliable than current methods of access and identification-unlike a key, it cannot be lost and unlike a password, it cannot be forgotten. In general, biometric data are either stored on a personal smart card or in a large central database and can be compared against an individual's physical feature to determine whether they are who they claim to be. ![]() ![]() Furthermore, the type of biometric information required and the technology used to measure it depend on the usage. ![]() Features such as fingerprints, facial characteristics, retina or iris patterns, speech, hand geometry, ear shape and body odour are all legitimate biometric measures, although their usefulness in distinguishing individuals varies significantly. Opponents of the use of biometrics in identification and verification fear that it might become another way for governments to intrude into citizens' privacy.īiometrics are used to automatically identify individuals by measuring physical or behavioural attributes. Proponents cite the terrorist attacks in the USA and elsewhere as an argument to step up all security measures, not just at airports. By imposing this requirement on virtually all non-Americans wishing to visit the USA, the US government has pushed biometrics into the forefront of foreign governments' agendas and sparked new debate over how far legislation can go in limiting terrorism and safeguarding security. As part of the 2001 US PATRIOT Act, designed to improve homeland security after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the US Immigration and Naturalization Service will require all visitors entering the country to present identification with biometric data from October 2004.
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