BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON BIOMETRICS
Biometrics is the use of an individuals physical or behavioral characteristics to uniquely identify them for authentication or identifications purposes.
Types of Biometrics are as follows:
Iris Scan
Iris scanning measures the iris pattern in the colored part of the eye, although the iris color has nothing to do with the biometric. Iris patterns are formed randomly. As a result, the iris patterns in a persons left and right eyes are different, and so are the iris patterns of identical twins. Iris scanning can be used quickly for both identification and verification applications because the iris is highly distinctive and robust.
Retinal Scan
Retinal scans measure the blood vessel patterns in the back of the eye. The device involves a light source shined into the eye of a user who must be standing very still within inches of the device. Because users perceive the technology to be somewhat intrusive, retinal scanning has not gained popularity; currently retinal scanning devices are not commercially available.
Facial Recognition
Facial recognition records the spatial geometry of distinguishing features of the face. Different vendors use different methods of facial recognition, however, all focus on measures of key features of the face. Because a persons face can be captured by a camera from some distance away, facial recognition has a clandestine or covert capability (i.e. the subject does not necessarily know he has been observed). For this reason, facial recognition has been used in projects to identify card counters or other undesirables in casinos, shoplifters in stores, criminals and terrorists in urban areas.
Speaker / Voice Recognition
Voice or speaker recognition uses vocal characteristics to identify individuals using a pass-phrase. A telephone or microphone can serve as a sensor, which makes it a relatively cheap and easily deployable technology. However, voice recognition can be affected by environmental factors such as background noise. This technology has been the focus of considerable efforts on the part of the telecommunications industry and the U.S. governments intelligence community, which continue to work on improving reliability.
Fingerprint
The fingerprint biometric is an automated digital version of the old ink-and-paper method used for more than a century for identification, primarily by law enforcement agencies. The biometric device involves users placing their finger on a platen for the print to be electronically read. The minutiae are then extracted by the vendors algorithm, which also makes a fingerprint pattern analysis. Fingerprint biometrics currently have three main application arenas: large-scale Automated Finger Imaging Systems (AFIS) generally used for law enforcement purposes, fraud prevention in entitlement programs, and physical and computer access.
Hand/Finger Geometry
Hand or finger geometry is an automated measurement of many dimensions of the hand and fingers. Neither of these methods takes actual prints of the palm or fingers. Spatial geometry is examined as the user puts his hand on the sensors surface and uses guiding poles between the fingers to properly place the hand and initiate the reading. Finger geometry usually measures two or three fingers. Hand geometry is a well-developed technology that has been thoroughly field-tested and is easily accepted by users. Because hand and finger geometry have a low degree of distinctiveness, the technology is not well-suited for identification applications.
Dynamic Signature Verification
We have long used a written signature as a means to acknowledge our identity. Dynamic signature verification is an automated method of measuring an individuals signature. This technology examines such dynamics as speed, direction, and pressure of writing; the time that the stylus is in and out of contact with the paper, the total time taken to make the signature; and where the stylus is raised from and lowered onto the paper.
Keystroke Dynamics
Keystroke dynamics is an automated method of examining an individuals keystrokes on a keyboard. This technology examines such dynamics as speed and pressure, the total time taken to type particular words, and the time elapsed between hitting certain keys. This technologys algorithms are still being developed to improve robustness and distinctiveness. One potentially useful application that may emerge is computer access, where this biometric could be used to verify the computer users identity continuously.
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1.Upon reading the above desciption of biometrics, were you familiar with such techniques? Have you ever given a biometric sample before? If a biometric sample was given, which technique was the sample used for: Is it acceptable for the private sector to request a biometric sample when checking the identity of an individual buying a gun against a database of convicted felons? Is it acceptable for the private sector to request a biometric sample when verifying identity of those making credit card purchases? Is it acceptable for the private sector to request a biometric sample when withdrawing funds from an ATM? Is it acceptable for the private sector to request a biometric sample when accessing sensitive files, such as personal medical or financial records? Is it acceptable for the private sector to request a biometric sample when conducting background checks? Is it acceptable for the private sector to request a biometric sample when screening out those banned from gambling or professional card counters in casinos? In light of terrorist attacks but thinking about civil liberties, is it acceptable for the Government to use biometrics to verfiy identity for passports. In light of terrorist attacks but thinking about civil liberties, is it acceptable for the Government to use biometrics to check entry to government buildings? In light of terrorist attacks but thinking about civil liberties, is it acceptable for the Government to use biometrics to identify an individual for airport check-ins? In light of terrorist attacks but thinking about civil liberties, is it acceptable for the Government to use biometrics to identify an individual for a driver's license? In light of terrorist attacks but thinking about civil liberties, is it acceptable for the Government to use biometrics to identify an individual to rent a car? If biometrics are only used in the above situations; how confident are you that it will be used solely for anti-terriost work and "not misused in ways that would threaten legitimate privacy?" Apart from terrorist uses, weighing potential benefits to society against potential privacy threat, is it acceptable for the Government to use biometrics for scans to protect law enforcement intelligence files? Apart from terrorist uses, weighing potential benefits to society against potential privacy threat, is it acceptable for the Government to use biometrics to take crime scene prints, and compare biometrics with an offender database? Apart from terrorist uses, weighing potential benefits to society against potential privacy threat,is it acceptable for the Government to use biometrics to create a biometric database of serious offenders? Apart from terrorist uses, weighing potential benefits to society against potential privacy threat, is it acceptable for law enforcement to use biometrics when a patrol car stops a driver for a highway violation scanned against a fugitive database? Weighing potential benefits to society against potential privacy threat, is it acceptable for Government to use biometrics for entry into high security government facilities? Weighing potential benefits to society against potential privacy threat, is it acceptable for Government to use biometrics for entry into schools? Weighing potential benefits to society against potential privacy threat, is it acceptable for Government to use biometrics on applicants requiring occupational licenses? Weighing potential benefits to society against potential privacy threat, is it acceptable for Government to use biometrics on speedy-entry at passport-control? In general, how justified/acceptable is it for the government and private organizations to use biometrics "as a means of helping prevent crimes"? Do you feel that privacy safeguards and fair information practices must be put into place, if biometrics will be used in the future? People should be fully informed about the uses an organization will make of their biometric ID and why it is needed? Organizations should not use biometric IDs for any purpose other than those originally described to the individual, unless the organization is required to do so by law or each person in the system has been informed and given his or her consent. There should be a procedure so individuals can check to see if their biometric ID formula has been correctly applied and that they can have any rejection of their identiy re-examined and verified. Organizations collecting biometric IDs should automatically code the ID formula and not provide the key to any other organization unless required to do so by law or expressly authorized by the individual. Except in national security situations, an individual should be told whenever their biometric identifier is being collected; it should not be collected secretly. Biometric IDs should not be combined with other personal identifiers. Organizations should not be permitted to compile records to track when or where persons were identified using their biometric ID. If the above safeguards were required to be installed and followed, do you feel that increases in correct identification of people would "outweigh any concerns about having to proivde the biometric identifiers". Do you believe it likely that society WILL adopt such safeguards "if and when biometrics are widely used". Do you think it likely that "by the end of this decade, almost every American adult will have at least one biometric ID on file somewhere to verify their identity". |
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