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In a nutshell Biometrics are any physiological or behavioral characteristic that can be used to verify the identity of an individual. Examples include fingerprints, retinal scans, voice patters and even signatures.
Biometrics are important in any area where there is a need to verify the identity of an individual. This particular holds true in criminal investigations. Unlike photo identification or personalised pin numbers used in banking and teller machines across the world, it is almost impossible for Biometrics to be transferred between individuals.
Biometric identification is becoming more and more accurate because biometric devices are not easily fooled. Today's technical advances are providing even more refined products for even more precise identification.
For thousands of years people have been identified based on physical characterstics such as scars and skin colour. More recently, in the last two hundred years, society saw a spark in the interest of criminological studies and began to realise that biometrics may be a way of distinguishing and separating the 'criminal' from the common man. This resulted in a lot of reserach, not all of which was sound, but nonetheless tons of data was produced on the subject.
Cesare Lombroso was the most famous early advocater of Biometrics. Lombroso believed that criminals could be distinctly discerned by certain physical characteristics they possessed. Characteristics that would identify them as unique and separate them from the common population. Whilst his theories were not conclusive his general theory, that measuring individual physical characteristics was a definitive way of identifying and separating certain individuals, remained. Ideas such as his ushered in the development of techniques such as fingerprinting which in turn became the international methodology used by police for criminal identity verification.
Since the development of fingerprinting as a means of identity verification came along researchers have recognised the potential for even more distinct and non-transferrable biometric measuring systems. Following on the heels of fingerprinting came hand geometry. As the name suggests, hand geometry measures the physical characteristics of the hand and fingers.
In addition to hand geometry there is voice verification. Currently many states incorporate a method of voice verification in their Home Confinement programs. Offers sentenced to home confinement have an electronic tracking system attached to either their ankle or their wrist. Many are required to 'report in' from a deisgnated telephone number at certain times of the day in order to undergo certain 'tests'. In addition to electronic tracking equipment their 'home confinement' equiptment includes voice recognition devices to ensure that the individual making the call is indeed the offender.
Whilst hand geometry and voice verification developments may be considered 'high-tech', other biometrics such as signature verification and facial recognition are as base and simple as they come. However, considering that people have been using signatures as a means of identify verification long before the computer age emerged it should come as no suprise that it should be used as a form of biometrics. The same holds true for facial recognition. However, despite its 'user-friendliness' and simplicity to the untrained user, facial recognition systems have actually had very limited success in practical technological applications.
Whilst many biometric applications exist within the realm of specialised security systems which most individuals are not, and will never become, familiar with, there are those which are widely used in the public domain as well. There is virtually no occasion when they do not come into play in a criminal investigation. Biometrics help aid in every area including initial identification (be it victim or suspect), alibis and conviction. In fact the first and foremost goal in any investigation is identification.
In addition to fingerprint technology used to identify suspects and even victims in practically every area of criminal activity and signature verification which is used in cases of fraud, there are sophisticated technological procedures incorporating facial recognition which are used extensively in the field of forensic pathology. Specifically in facial reconstructions and victim identification.
Biometrics are used commonly in sentencing 'programs'. From everything to home detention (as discussed above) to traditional incarceration. Across the world there are prison visitor systems which subject inmates and visitors alike to verification procedures in order that identities may not be swapped during the visit.
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