Recognizing novel uses for biometrics

Now is an exciting time, as every day we are seeing more and more advances in biometric technology. In this section, we’ll review some newer technologies. We’ll look at using contactless fingerprint, the ability of facial recognition to detect facial masks, and the appeal of using a biometric such as our face or fingerprint to make a payment.

Let’s start with how we may soon get the ability to obtain a fingerprint without touching a surface.

Obtaining contactless fingerprints

Using fingerprints to identify someone has been used for centuries. In the last decade, we have seen an explosion of fingerprint technology, especially when using smartphones. Although this popular technology has been used for years, it has been a contact biometric, in that the subject must touch a surface to obtain a sample.

The concept of contactless biometrics has a universal appeal, as it provides a more sanitary way to interact with...