Types of Biometric Analysis by Adel Hanna

What are Biometrics?

adelhanna7612 — 2025-08-20 14:06:41 UTC

Biometrics are biological or behavioral markers that can identify someone. Biometrics are categorized as either physiological (distinguishable physical characteristics of a person) or behavioral (distinguishable behavioral patterns and interactions of a person).

Fingerprints

adelhanna7612 — 2025-08-20 14:11:32 UTC

Fingerprints are a type of Physiological Biometrics. Each person has a distinct set of fingerprints, so when found at a crime scene, they can be used as individual identifiers.

DNA

adelhanna7612 — 2025-08-20 14:17:57 UTC

DNA is the unique genetic code of an individual. It can be used for identification purposes and would be considered a physiological biometric. A DNA sample from hair, blood, or saliva would be collected at the scene of the crime and analyzed to create a unique DNA profile. The DNA is then compared across databases to help determine identity.

Iris and Retina Patterns

adelhanna7612 — 2025-08-20 14:24:28 UTC

Iris and Retina scans are types of physiological biometrics. The iris, or the colored part of the eye, can be analyzed for distinctive patterns. A camera would be used to capture images of the eye at a distant. Each person has their own unique patterns within the color of the eye that can be identifiable. The retina of the eye is analyzed to recognize patterns in the blood vessels at the back of the eye. This is a more invasive procedure, but is one of the most secure methods used to determine an individual's identity.

Facial Recognition

adelhanna7612 — 2025-08-20 14:28:58 UTC

Facial features are analyzed through computer algorithms and converted into a biometric template which acts as a digital fingerprint of the face. Facial recognition is used by law enforcement offices for the purposes of fraud detection, border control, security purposes, and identification purposes. Iphones and other devices also use facial recognition.

Voice and Speech Patterns

adelhanna7612 — 2025-08-20 14:34:30 UTC

Voice and Speech patterns are a form of behavioral biometrics that can help identify someone. The way a person talks is distinctive to that person. The tone they use, elevation of pitch, or a person's accent can be used to identify someone. A person's voice can be analyzed to create a unique voice print. Voice and speech patterns are reliable forms of identification.

Handwriting

adelhanna7612 — 2025-08-20 14:37:44 UTC

Handwriting is a type of behavioral biometrics. A person can be identified based on how the write. Writing patterns are analyzed by handwriting experts. Handwriting experts looks at variations in pressure, letter formation, slants in writing, spacing between words, etc. There are some drawbacks to using handwriting as a means to identify due to variability in writing and forgery.

Gait

adelhanna7612 — 2025-08-20 14:41:20 UTC

Gait, or the way a person walks, would be considered behavioral biometrics. Video surveillance can pick up a person's walking style. How fast a person walks, step frequency, how they move their arms, whether they have a limp or a unique identifier, all help identify a person.