FEATURE29 March 2023

Understanding biometrics in research

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Kaleke Kolawole, policy manager at MRS, outlines why researchers must understand the implications of using biometrics.

black and white image of a thumb print on a circuit board

The International Organization for Standardization and International Electrotechnical Commission standards bodies have defined biometrics as the automated recognition of individuals based on their biological and behavioural characteristics.

Biometrics is a biological measurement – or set of physical characteristics – that can be used to identify individuals. It uses a variety of technologies that mobilise probabilistic matching to recognise a person based on their biometric characteristics. Biometric characteristics can be physiological features – such as a person’s fingerprint, iris or hand geometry – or behavioural attributes, such as a person’s gait or keystroke pattern.

As biometric characteristics are generally unique to individuals, they can be more effective and reliable at uniquely verifying the identity of individuals compared with other methods – for example, traditional verification systems such as a password or personal identification number.

One key advantage of biometric technologies is that they cannot be as easily shared, lost or duplicated as passwords or physical identity.

As such, biometrics are increasingly used in identity management. For example, a large range of ...