Biometric Technology Application Manual - ITI Observatorio ...

Biometric Technology Application Manual Volume 1 xix
this manual, biometrics is used to generally describe the
art and science of capturing a personal characteristic,
feature, or trait, for subsequent use in a system or subsystem
designed for automated human identification or
recognition.
Biometrics is not an overnight sensation. The years of
development of the technology are now in the fourth
decade if confined to its automated form, and can be
measured in centuries if it includes all rational attempts
to measure and compare human characteristics. As in
many other areas, advances in computer technology
also accelerated the capabilities and quality of biometric
technology. In studying its potential and considering
specific applications for use, it is important to appreciate
its substantive qualities and inherent limitations. Make
no mistake however, there is no equivalent substitute for
biometrics in the automated human identification function,
and any claim to the contrary, including those who
assert we can rely on “something we have” or “something
we know” without biometrics, must be treated with great
skepticism. Later in the manual, distinctions between
this assertion and other functions such as authentication
(where other alternatives with or without biometrics do
exist) will be clarified.
Biometrics are not only here to stay as the best component
of an automated identification program but have
hardly begun to scratch the surface in responding to
the need for the ultimate measure and validation of our
unique individual nature.
Version 2 – Summer 2008