Biometric Identification: What Is It? (A 2023 Review)

 Biometric ID is the process of using unique physical (e.g., fingerprint or vein pattern) or behavioral (e.g., gait or handwriting) traits to identify an individual. Biometric technologies use these unique and measurable qualities to perform security actions in lieu of traditional security measures, specifically passwords.

First, a user is expected to provide documentation of their identity. This documentation can be specific to the trait or tied to the individual.

For example, the registration of your fingerprint on your phone allows you to access your phone with your fingerprint in the future, but it does not tie your fingerprint to your personal identity. 

Conversely, in some high-security situations, for example immigration documentation, the biometric identification can be made simultaneously to both the documentation and to your identification. For example, you may have a fingerprint and facial recognition image attached to your passport so that an airport official can confirm both that you are the owner of the passport and that the passport is valid to the personal identification on file. (...)