Biometric identification systems use automated systems to measure a person's physical and or behavioral characteristics to uniquely identify or verify who they are. The technology is primarily used for identification and access control. The basic premise of biometric technology is that everyone is unique and an individual can be identified by their physical or behavioral traits.

Physiological based devices scan and base their identification on physical attributes such as fingerprints, DNA, and ear and eye recognition. Behavioral based devices scan and base identification on an individual’s behavioral attributes such as signature, walk, typing patterns, and voice recognition.

Types of Biometric Identification Systems

Below is a brief list and description of many types of biometric technologies that have been developed and are being used for individual identification and access control applications.

DNA matching: Chemical biometric device that identifies an individual by analyzing their DNA.

Ear recognition: Visual biometric device that uses the shape of the ear to recognize an individual.

Eye iris recognition: Visual biometric device that uses features of the eye iris to recognize an individual.

Eye retina recognition: Visual biometric device that uses features and patterns of veins at the back of an eye to recognize an individual.

Face recognition: Visual biometric device that analyzes facial patterns and features for identity verification.

Fingerprint recognition: Visual biometric device that uses human finger features for identity verification.

Hand measurement: Visual biometric device that uses features of a hand such as finger length and hand width for identity verification.

Palm vein recognition: Visual biometric test that uses patterns of veins in a human's hand or fingers.

Odor recognition: Olfactory biometric that uses an individual’s odor for identity verification.

Signature recognition: Visual behavioral biometric that uses handwriting style and signature for identity verification.

Typing recognition: Behavioral biometric that uses typing patterns and errors for identity verification.

Voice pattern recognition: Auditory biometric device that uses a person’s speech for speaker identification.

Walk gait recognition: Behavioral biometric that uses an individual’s walking style for identity verification.

Related Information

Engineering360—Biometric Security: Your Body as Your Password

IEEE Spectrum—Looking at Your Ears: The New Biometric Security Scan?

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