It is possible to understand if a human characteristic can be used for biometrics in terms of the following parameters:
- Universality (U)
each person should have the characteristic
- Uniqueness (Q)
is how well the biometric separates individually from another.
- Permanence (P)
measures how well a biometric resists aging.
- Collectability (C)
ease of acquisition for measurement.
- Performance (F)
accuracy, speed, and robustness of technology used.
- Acceptability (A)
degree of approval of a technology.
- Circumvention (V)
ease of use of a substitute.
The following table shows a comparison of existing biometric systems in terms of those parameters:
|
Comparison of various biometric technologies, modified from Jain et al., 2004 (H=High, M=Medium, L=Low)
|
|
Biometrics
|
U
|
Q
|
P
|
C
|
F
|
A
|
V
|
|
Face
|
H
|
L
|
M
|
H
|
L
|
H
|
L
|
|
Fingerprint
|
M
|
H
|
H
|
M
|
H
|
M
|
H
|
|
Hand geometry
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
H
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
|
Keystrokes
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
M
|
L
|
M
|
M
|
|
Hand veins
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
H
|
|
Iris
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
M
|
H
|
L
|
H
|
|
Retinal scan
|
H
|
H
|
M
|
L
|
H
|
L
|
H
|
|
Signature
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
H
|
L
|
H
|
L
|
|
Voice
|
M
|
L
|
L
|
M
|
L
|
H
|
L
|
|
Facial thermograph
|
H
|
H
|
L
|
H
|
M
|
H
|
H
|
|
Odor
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
L
|
L
|
M
|
L
|
|
DNA
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
L
|
H
|
L
|
L
|
|
Gait
|
M
|
L
|
L
|
H
|
L
|
H
|
M
|
|
Ear Canal
|
M
|
M
|
H
|
M
|
M
|
H
|
M
|
|
