The Meaning of Biometrics
The scientific invention of biometrics is a very realistic authentication process that is related to human characteristics, since the creation of this technology identification as become easier, criminals arrest became faster and reunion became much more authentic.
the pioneer of modern biometrics is Alphonso Bertillon, a Parisian who invented the Bertillon body measurement system which is used for classifying and comparing criminals based on their measurement and body size, this dates back to the 1800s.
Fingerprints came into the picture soon after, it was used to sign contracts and identify criminals, since everyone as a unique fingerprint it was really easy to identify each and every one, which means criminals could not easily escape. and this was made possible by the father of finger prints Francis Galton who was the first to show scientifically how fingerprints could be used to identify individual.
now it is the time to let you know what biometrics can do.
Types of biometrics
Biometrics is derived from the Greek words “bio” meaning “life” and “metrics” meaning “to measure” thanks to the advancement in technology biometrics is now an automated system.
The five most common type of biometrics is the fingerprints, facial, voice finger vein patters and the iris, but in this present day and time we have more than just these five types of biometrics.
DNA Match
This provides the most personal identification system, it is used to deduce and conclude familial relationships via DNA testing, through comparing STRs, it can be used to confirm or deny blood relations, a missing disfigured victim, lost child, paternity and maternity testing.
Ear Biometrics
The ear data can be captured even without the awareness of the subject from a distance for identification, Ear biometrics can stand as an example for passive biometrics, and does not really need much cooperation from the subject, this solves a key problem in the authentication process, it can also work while your moving unlike other biometrics
Eyes – Iris Recognition
The Eyes-iris recognition is done by using one or both of the irises of an individual eye, since each individual eye pattern are very unique. iris recognition as a major advantage against false matching identities, it applies mathematical pattern recognition techniques to images of the irises of an individual identity.
Eyes – Retina Recognition
This is a biometric technique that uses the unique patterns on a person’s retina for identification, the eye must be focused for the scanner to capture the retina pattern because the Retina recognition makes use of the unique patterns of the blood vessels.
Face Recognition
This is a way of identifying and confirming an individual’s identity using their face recognition, many people are familiar with face recognition technology which is done through the face ID to unlock phones, beyond unlocking phones it can be used to match faces of people working pass special cameras, law enforcement, airports and boarder control, finding missing persons, reducing retail crime, improving retail experience, marketing and advertising, banking, healthcare, tracking students or workers attendance, recognizing drivers and monitoring gambling addictions.
Fingerprint Recognition
Finger recognition allows a person to be identified and verified through analyzing and comparing a person’s finger dermal ridges. This is one of the most popular and efficient type of biometrics.
Hand Geometry Recognition
This is a biometrics approach that identifies users from the shape of their hands to automatically recognize individuals based on their unique geometric features, it is used for physical access, attendance tracking and personal verification.
Gait Biometrics
Gait also none as behavioral biometrics that identifies people based on their walking pattern, it captures step patterns using video images then transform the collected data into a mathematical equation. Gait as two sources of biometrics information and they are based on shapes and dynamics for identification.
Vein Recognition
vein recognition is also known as vascular biometrics, this technology measures part of the circulatory system. Vein biometrics identifies a user based on the vein patterns in their finger, this vein patterns are unique to everybody. method of vein pattern recognition offers an extremely high level of security, and it is done by scanning the user’s finger or palm.
Typing Recognition
This is done by analyzing an individual unique pattern of typing and behavior towards revealing user’s identity, although this technology is not so popular it is not quite new, it has been in existing for 20 years now with varying result. however, some companies such as TypingDNA claim to have perfected it.
Voice-speaker Identification
This is done by using a person’s unique voice for identification through biological characteristics in other to authenticate identity. The voice is as unique as a fingerprint and you can use it to control a smart home, instruct a smart speaker, communicate with technology devices, command phones and entry of text without making use of the device keyboard.
Signature Recognition
The Signature biometrics requires an individual to provide an exclusive sample of the user’s unique text which serves as a measurement for their writing and identity. The emerging of signature recognition as become very reliable towards the biometrics authentication process, and this is an example of a behavioral biometrics.
