Biometric Hand Scanning : Reading Palms to Identify

Basics of Hand Scanning: Hand scanning involves the measurement and analysis of the shape of one's hand. It is a fairly straight forward procedure and is surprisingly accurate. Though it requires special hardware to use, it can be easily integrated into other devices or systems. Unlike fingerprints, the human hand isn't unique. Individual hand features are not descriptive enough for identification. However, it is possible to devise a method by combining various individual features and measurements of fingers and hands for verification purposes.

Biometric Hand Scanning-The Process:

The user places the palm of his hand on a metal surface which has guidance pegs on it. The hand is then properly aligned by the pegs so the device can read the hand attributes. The device then checks its database for verification of the user. The process usually takes less than 5 seconds.

While it seems like it could be added to the systems, current bometric palm scanners or hand scanners do not have any way to detect whether a hand is living or not and therefore can be fooled by a fake hand if pressure is applied to the plate correctly.


Biometric Hand Scanning-History:

Hand scanning can be termed as a forefather of modern biometrics by virtue of a 20 yr history of live applications. There have been six different hand scanning products developed over this span, including some of the most commercially successful biometrics to date.


Use of biometric hand scanners systems:

Biometric hand scanning systems are employed at over 8,000 locations including the Colombian legislatures, San Francisco International Airport, day care centers, a sperm bank, welfare agencies, hospitals, and immigration facilities for the INSPASS frequent international traveler system.


Evaluation of biometric hand scanning:

Hand geometry has several advantages. It is very easy for users to work the system - requiring nothing more than placing one's hand on the device. It has no public attitude problems as it is associated most commonly with authorized access. The amount of data required to uniquely identify a user in a system is the smallest by far, allowing it to be used with SmartCards easily. It is also quite resistant to attempt to fool the system. The time and energy required to sufficiently emulate a person's hand is generally too much to be worth the effort, especially since it is generally used for verification purposes only.

That said, there are some disadvantages to biometric hand readers, including it's proprietary hardware cost and required size. Also, while injuries to hands can cause difficulty in using the reader effectively, the lack of accuracy in general requires that it be used for verification alone. In fact, because of the small amount of information measured, it is possible to have duplicate readings if enough people are put into the system, therefore elilminating its use as an identification system.