USING BIOMETRICS

Q. What is biometric identification?

A. Biometrics are automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic.  They include face, fingerprint, hand geometry, handwriting, iris, retina, vein and voice – anything that’s a part of you. 

Q. Why choose finger scanning for identification?

A. Because it's fast, accurate, cost-effective and secure.

Q. How does finger scanning identification work?

A. Here's how it works:

When the person returns to be identified, the finger is again scanned.  The computer software now compares the new template with the other templates in the database.  When a matching template is found, the person is identified.  This identification and matching process takes under one second to complete.  At no time is a fingerprint image ever stored and no fingerprints can be recreated from the template.

Q. Can my fingerprint be given to anyone else?

A. No. There are no fingerprint images stored. Only encrypted numerical representations of the unique points of the fingerprint are stored.

Q. Can my fingerprint data be taken off the computer and used to re-create my fingerprint?

A. No. identiMetrics never takes your fingerprint, only unique points. The actual fingerprint cannot be recreated from the encrypted template.

Q. Can my fingerprints be taken from the computer software and used on another fingerprinting system?

A. No. identiMetrics uses a proprietary algorithm that can only be used with identiMetrics software.

Q. Can my fingerprints be copied or used by anyone else?

A. No. It is impossible to duplicate or falsify fingerprints from the information stored in the identiMetrics software.

Q. Why Biometrics in Schools?

A. Many areas in a school require identification.  The most common kinds of identification currently in use are picture ID cards, PINs, and, of course, visual identification.  Each of these methods creates its own issues and is a drain on the time and resources of IT departments. 

Cards are regularly forgotten, lost, mutilated and shared; PINs are easily forgotten, swapped or stolen.  Also, visual identification is a poor solution, especially with today’s considerable security concerns and reporting issues.  By using biometrics for identification, the problems and costs associated with the current methods can be avoided and new standards of accountability can be put into place.

Q. Do twins have the same fingerprints?

A. No. Every person has unique fingerprints, even twins.

Q. Do finger scanners spread germs?

A. According to a Purdue University study, biometric sensors are no dirtier than doorknobs.