Biometrics — Voice Biometrics Glossary
Biometrics, sometimes referred to as biometry, is the scientific study and analysis of measurable biological traits. Through biometrics, it is possible to identify or verify a specific human being based on biological traits specific to that particular individual. For example, hand geometry, retina scans, iris scans, fingerprint patterns, DNA sequence characteristics, voiceprints and hand written signatures are all examples of biometric measurements.
The history of biometrics dates as far back as the late 1300’s and has become an emerging industry in the past few decades given the information and digital age requirements leading to the growing need to identify and verify individual identity for various reasons.
Biometrics requires various equipment, some more expensive than others. While a pencil and a piece of paper can provide a handwritten signature sample, expensive scanning equipment is necessary for measuring the reference points of retinas and irises.
Biometrics also requires various human expertise as well as database programs and other software that can collect, store, interpret and compare biometric measurement samples. New technology emerges daily as consumers demand easier access and the government demands tighter security compliance.
Biometrics is generally used to either verify an individual or identify an individual based on a specific measurement or need. Although they sound like one and the same, they are, in fact, not the same at all. Biometrics used to verify an individual takes the sample provided by an individual and compares it to the already previously stored sample from that individual in the database. Biometrics used to identify an individual takes the sample provided and compares it to a database full of other samples from various individuals.