Biometric Application Design

Abstract

Historically, biometric functionality tended to be ‘bolted on’ to existing applications rather than being properly integrated at the time of the broader application design. While this situation has improved somewhat in recent times, application design remains an area of concern with respect to biometric identity verification functionality. There remain operational factors which are not always properly understood, or seamlessly integrated into broader designs. Similarly, the broad cross section of potential users, especially with respect to public sector applications, are sometimes not fully taken into account within the design of operational systems. This chapter discusses an end to end system design approach and stresses factors such as the registration process, the biometric matching threshold, equivalence of realised performance, multi-modal biometrics, user interfaces and more. The BANTAM application modelling language is reintroduced and much guidance provided as to application design. In addition, both hardware and software are covered in a comprehensive overview of integrating biometric functionality into practical, operational systems.