Biometrics: What It Has The Potential To Replace or Improve

Biometric devices are intended to replace or improve security measures due to their precision and reliability. I will now provide some examples of biometric devices which are currently used and what they each replace or have the potential to improve.

The following illustration depicts how biometric measurements are taken at the Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida through the use of Fingerprint Scanning. The entrance to this particular amusement park requires that fingerprints are taken from guests to ensure that a person's ticket is not used by another from one day to the next. Once verifying the identity of the ticket holder, he/she is given access to the park (Wikipedia).

This particular device replaces the need of hiring staff to verify customer identity, it reduces line up waiting time because the identities of individuals are confirmed instantly and increases security.


The latest version of facial recognition software is known as 3D Facial Recognition. It argues that it offers further precision than its earlier models. By capturing an image of person’s facial surface in real-time 3D, it uses unique facial features which remain the same throughout the individual’s lifespan to identify the subject such as:

• Distance between both eyes,
• Width of the nose,
• Depth of both eye sockets,
• The shape of each cheekbone, and,
• The length of the jaw line

Seeing that this software uses depth and an axis of measurement which lighting has no influence, it can also be used in darkness. It further has the ability of recognizing an individual at different angles of up to 90 degrees. In the verification process, an image is matched to only one image in the database (How Stuff Works).

This device has the potential to improve crime related investigations through its tracking capability. It can also be used as surveillance for organizations which hold sensitive information such as credit bureaus, government run agencies or buildings with valuable items such as museums, casinos and banks.


Another example of a biometric use is Iris Recognition within German airports. Iris recognition testing began in the year 2004 at the Frankfurt Germany airport since it is considered to be the most accurate biometric system. Passengers were required to have images of their iris patterns obtained at the stations illustrated on the right. The images were then matched with their individual passport information. According to CNET this method is intended to replace the standard for checking identity at airport immigration counters (CNET News).


References:

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics
• How Stuff Works: http://www.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-tech-gadgets/facial-recognition.htm/printable
• CNET News: http://news.cnet.com/Iris-scanning-to-begin-at-German-airport/2100-7348_3-5158973.html

Figures:

• Walt Disney World: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Biometrics.jpg
• 3D Facial Recognition: http://www.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-tech-gadgets/facial-recognition.htm/printable
• Frankfurt Airport: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeff-barnes/76948611/