ABSTRACT

Biometrics attempts to automatically identify or verify a person using physical, biological, and behavior characteristics, including face, iris, fi ngerprints, hand geometry, voice, and so on. Compared to the traditional identifi cation and verifi cation methods (such as paper ID, plastic ID card, or password), biometrics is more convenient for users, reduces fraud, and is more secure. It is becoming an important ally of security, intelligence, law enforcement, and e-commerce. In the Executive Summary of the 9/11 Commission Report (2004), the following necessary improvements were recommended by the commission members in “Protect against and Prepare for Terrorist Attacks”:

Address problems of screening people with biometric identifi ers across agencies and governments, including our border and transportation systems, by designing comprehensive screening systems that address common problems and sets common standards.