Biometrics
Biometrics refers primarily to the measurement of physiological and behavioral characteristics to automatically identify people.
http://cubs.buffalo.edu/about_biometrics.shtml
Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics
• Biometrics is the study of automated methods for uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits
• biometric authentication refers to technologies for measuring and analyzing human physical and behavioral characteristics for authentication purposes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics
Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics
“The European Union has given the green light to biometric passports.”– Children’s passports” will not feature biometric
identification” because their fingerprints are still developing.
– Civil liberty and security researchers are objecting believing that “that storing so many biometric records in a central European database is a security risk.”
http://www.securecomputing.net.au/News/134477,eu-approves-biometric-
passports.aspx Copyright © 2009 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics
• Physiological characteristics – face – fingerprint – DNA
• Behavioral characteristics – signature – voiceprint – gait– http://cubs.buffalo.edu/about_biometrics.shtml
Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics
• Issues and Concerns
• Technology has the potential to do great things. • It also brings with it the potential to do harm.
• Are concerns surrounding biometric use real or imagined?
• Do our concerns prevent us from seeing the vast potential of the new technologies developed using biometrics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics
Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner
BiometricsIssues and Concerns: This could happen -
• DNA is planted at the scene of the crime• Assume another's identity by using the person’s biometrics
or simulating their biometrics. In this way, impersonate them without arousing suspicion
• Fool a fingerprint detector by using a piece of sticky tape with an authentic fingerprint on it
• Fool an iris recognition camera by showing a photo of another’s iris
• Hack into the interface between a biometric device and the host system, so that a "fail" message gets converted to a "pass".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics
Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics
Issues and Concerns
• Biometric measurements are more difficult to forge
• Since biometrics more problematic when lost or stolen
Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics
Identity theft
Biometrics can confuse the solution• Credit card theft is a significant problem for the
individual involved. • BUT, If a person’s fingerprints are stolen, the
damage could be irreversible. • Are biometric technologies being used without
adequate safeguards?
Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner
BiometricsPrivacy
• Biometrics are often are touted as a way to reduce crime. – Yet, privacy advocates fear biometrics may be used to
decrease personal liberties of law abiding citizens.• Developments in digital video, infrared, x-ray,
wireless, global positioning satellite systems, image scanning, voice recognition, DNA, and brain wave fingerprinting provide government with new ways to "search" individuals – Now organizations collect vast databases of
information on law-abiding members of the public.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics
Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics
• Who is watching the watchers? • The 4th Amendment guarantees free speech and
a right to privacy. Do biometrics strip away these rights?
• If everyone is biometrically “searched” at a concert or sporting event and compared with a database of known terrorists we “may” be safer, but have we lost something in exchange?
Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics
Sociological concerns• As technology advances, more and more
private companies and public utilities will use biometrics for safe, accurate identification.
• Is this the direction we want technology to go?• Are there physical dangers:
– Are retinal scans safe?– How accurate are the devices in question?– If DNA is found at the site of an investigation, who
knows when I was there?
Copyright © 2008 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics & Forensics
• “Forensic Science– The application of the natural and physical
sciences to questions of legal or public concern.
– The most common application is the analysis of evidence, such as blood, hairs, fibers, bullets, and fingerprints, from criminal cases like bank robberies, homicides, and kidnappings.”
– Applied after a situation has occurred http://www.biometrics.org/bc2004/Presentations/Conference/
Copyright © 2009 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics & Forensics
• Biometrics is used before an event has
occurred. – “gaining access, surveillance, or verification– biometrics chooses which mode of
identification will be used”
http://www.biometrics.org/bc2004/Presentations/Conference/
Copyright © 2009 by Helene G. Kershner
Biometrics & Forensics
• Toolkit is often the same– Fingerprint analysis– Biometric identification– Video analysis– “Impression” analysis– Document analysis– Database comparison
http://www.mediacy.com/index.aspx?page=ForensicBiometrics
Copyright © 2009 by Helene G. Kershner