Biometrics

Hand biometric scanners are not as common as other biometric products and technology. The biggest reason for this is that hand biometric measurements are not unique. Hand biometric scanners are simply not reliable for biometric identification purposes, because many people have hands that are shaped the same. However, hand biometric scanners can be used to verify identity when identity has already been presented.

How do Hand Biometric Scanners Work?

Hand biometric scanners measure various biometrics of the hand to verify identity. The hand biometric scanner will measure the distance between knuckles, the size of the palm, the length of fingers, and the size of the overall hand. More advanced biometric hand scanners can even measure the width and height, as well as the shape, of the knuckles. These measurements are taken instantaneously when the hand is scanned, and compared to hand images and measurements stored in the hand biometric scanner.

If Hand Biometric Scanners are not sufficient for identification purposes, what use are they?

Hand biometric scanners can be used to verify identity already presented. One way that hand scanners would be very efficient is when they are used in conjunction with fingerprint scanners. Most fingerprint scanners can be fooled by gelatin fingerprints held between the fingerprint and the scanner. Some scanners can even be fooled by holding a photocopy of a fingerprint to the scanner.

When hand biometric scanners are used in conjunction with biometric fingerprint scanners, these methods of fooling the system would be thwarted. Even if the perpetrator managed to fake the proper fingerprint, if the perpetrator did not have the exact hand measurements as the true fingerprint owner the access control system would deny access to the room, computer, or home.

Can hand biometric scanners be fooled?

Yes and no. Because the shape and size of the hand is not unique, it is possible that someone with the same hand measurements could be found and use the system to get into the controlled access area. However, if the shape of the hand did not match perfectly to that stored in the hand biometric scanner, the scanner would deny access. In other words, the hand biometric scanner cannot be fooled, but it is possible that someone with the same hand measurements could use the scanner without incident.

In what instances might a hand biometric scanner be needed for identity verification?

Homes that are very valuable or hold a lot of valuable items could certainly benefit from hand biometric identity verification. Private corporations and government agencies could also benefit from hand biometric scanners and identity verification. In these instances, it is more likely that a professional thief might try to fool the fingerprint identification systems.

The average residential home is burglarized by common thugs and thieves that will not go to the trouble of trying to fake a fingerprint to gain access to your home. Likewise, inventory store rooms that hold average merchandise of little value is unlikely to need this additional verification from biometric scanners.