The Advantages and Disadvantage of Biometric Systems - Term Paper Example

BIOMETRICS DRAFT By Due to the globalization taking place in the world, there is increased need to store accurate data that can accessed conveniently and at ease. Many organizations that deal with populations of people are animals have developed data bases that relate people or animals to their specific information. In addition, the biometric techniques have increasingly gained importance across the board in many sectors of life that require accurate data either for analytical purposes or storage. In short, biometric technology has been incorporated in other spheres of life in order to increase efficiency and productivity of sectors that ultimately lead to economic development and better quality of life. This essay will evaluate different aspects concerning the biometric systems and further highlight the advantages and disadvantage of the same. To start with the biometric system is defined by various scholars based on the principles that are used by the system. According to Jain et al., biometrics can be defined as a scientific system that facilitates identification and recognition of people automatically or semi-automatically by use of their intrinsic characteristics such as eyes, face, hand, or voice (2011). From this definition, it is possible to point out the principles used by biometric systems because it is from the definition we understand that the biometric system utilizes intrinsic characteristics of people for identification as opposed to other systems that utilize extrinsic values of people. In order to perform the required functions, a biometric system carries out either identification application where a sample is processed and compared against an already achieved data or carries out a verification application where the system gathers information from a person and compares the results with particular data in the system(Woodward, Higgins, & Orlans, 2003). The invention of biometric systems dates back to the civilization period where human beings developed means for formal recognition of people. However, it is important to point out that the biometric systems have greatly been advanced by use of computers in the recent years but the basic principles of the systems were deciphered many years ago before the advent of computers. According to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), different and basic forms of recognition were used by people in the civilization age and also before (2006). Basic methods such as face recognition where members of a society could identify each other by establishing familiar or unfamiliar faces were common. In addition, NSTC points out several evidences that signify that historic people relied on simple biometrics (2006). For example, there is an evidence of business tablets that contain finger prints meaning that early traders used finger prints as means of identification. However, these early means of identification were challenged by increase in population of human beings. Despite the early existence of the fundamentals of biometry, the development of accurate systems can be attributed to several researchers who pioneered specific levels and categories of the current complex biometric systems. To start with, Alphonse Bertillon is credited with for introducing the first organized biometric system used in identification of people by use of physical body measurement (Houck & Siegel 2010). According to Houck and Siegel, Bertillon who was a policeman, introduced a system to identify criminals by use of anthropometric measurements, photographs and other detailed descriptions, a system that was popularly known as Bertillonage System (2010). However, this system was limiting in the sense that variations in the measurement taken were many and the dependence on physical characteristics was unreliable because human physical characteristics can change. Due to the increased number of criminal records that were maintained using the Bertillonage System, there was need to develop a more accurate system that could allow easy and accurate access of information of many criminals logged into the security records. As a result, fingerprint identification system was introduced in the year 1892 by Sir Francis Galton (NSTC 2006). Although finger prints were used initially in the ancient China, the main purpose was for signature representation in business transactions. However, it is in the year 1896 that Sir Edward Henry came up with a detailed fingerprint identification system that assigned numerical values to fingers and this allowed easy and efficient storage of criminal data (NSTC 2006). Another mile stone of biometry was achieved with the introduction of voice recognition system where people are identified through speech. This system was greatly advanced by the advent of computers and microprocessors in the 1980s. Other important milestones in the development of biometric systems include introduction of iris recognition system by IriScan Inc. in collaboration with the Defense Nuclear Agency in the year 1993 and DNA analysis system that was introduced as a method of identification and keeping of criminal records by the FBI in 1998. Currently, different types of biometric systems exist and the variation is based mainly on the mechanisms utilized to make identification. To start with, facial recognition forms a popular category of biometrics that is involved with identification of people using facial features (Vacca, 2007). According to Vacca, facial recognition biometric system capitalizes on human facial features that are not alterable easily such as sides of the mouth, nose and regions around the cheekbone (2007). Nowadays, computer software with complex algorithms are used to an analyze faces of people by extracting features from images of the scanned people. The system has also been improved by introduction of 3-D facial recognition system that is not affected by light variation when scanning images. Another type of biometric system is the finger print recognition system that identifies people by use of unique patterns that are present on their fingers (Vacca, 2007). The technique relies on the fact that the ridges and impressions on fingers are not similar and that each fingers has a unique arrangement of the impressions. Closely related to the fingerprint biometry is the hand geometry biometric system. In this system, a machine with a camera and light emitting diodes is used to take several measurements of the hand (Vacca 2007). Other important biometric systems utilized currently include iris recognition system that involves taking a photograph of the iris and analyzing the distinctive features that form the iris (Vacca 2007). Vacca further notes that the iris recognition system is able to utilize about 173 different unique characteristics found in the iris of human beings (2007). Closely related to iris recognition system is the retina scanning recognition system than recognizes the unique features found in the retina. In this system, patterns of blood vessels and other unique characteristics found in the retina form the basis of identification (Vacca, 2007). Another commonly used biometric system is the signature recognition system. In this form of biometrics, signatures are keenly analyzed not only on the shape but also on other features such as speed and pressure that is exerted during signing (Vacca, 2007). In addition, to the above biometric systems, voice recognition system, which has been in use for a long time has also been improved and incorporated in modern systems. In this system, computer algorithms are used to analyze a speech and compare with one that is already stored as a template Works Cited Jain, K, Ross, A, & Nandakumar, K, (2011), Introduction to biometrics, New York, Springer. Woodward, J, Higgins, P, & Orlans, N, (2003), Biometrics: [identity assurance in the information age], New York, NY [u.a.], McGraw-Hill/Osborne. National Science and Technology Council, (2006), Biometrics History, retrieved 24 April 2014, < http://www.biometrics.gov/documents/biohistory.pdf >. Houck, M, & Siegel, A, (2010), Fundamentals of forensic science, Amsterdam, Elsevier/Academic Press. Vacca, J, (2007), Biometric Technologies and Verification Systems, Burlington, Elsevier. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=535283. Read More