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Defining Biometrics Ploeg (2005): 1-2 Generally speaking, biometric technology involves the collection with a sensory device of digital representations of the physiological features unique to an individual, like a fingerprint, pattern of the iris, the retina, the veins of e.g. the hand, physiogenetic features, shape of the hand or voice patterns; it may also include typical behavior patterns like typing or writing a signature. This digital representation of biometric data is then usually transformed via some algorithm to produce a so-called template. This cannot deduce the biometric data themselves. These templates are stored in a centralized database that is accessed when on following occasions the finger, hand, face, eye or voice is presented to the system. After a similar algorithmic transformation of this second biometric image, a comparison can be executed. If a matching template is found, the person presenting themselves is recognized and counts as known to the system. It may also be the case that templates are not stored centrally, but on a chipcard instead. The user then has to present both chipcard and requested body part to prove they are the legitimate user of the card, quite like pincodes now the difference being obviously that pins can be forgotten or passed on to a friend in order to authorize them to use the card. In this form, biometric data in principle need not be stored by the organization issuing the card.

Bright (2011): 235 Biometrics is conceptualized as an actor-network: a series of related actors out of which the technology forms. The technology itself forms part of the network physical machines which capture fingerprints or compare iris patterns. But so do the people who use these machines, and the environments in which they are positioned. Furthermore, knowledge about biometrics also forms part of the network: assumptions about how well the technology works act in the sense that they will condition where and how it is used. (see Latour 2005 for an overview)

Zhai & Renzong (2010) The term biometric comes from the Greek words bios (life) and metrikos (measure). Biometrics is the measure of individuals physiological and/or behavioral characteristics. Biometric technologies can be defined as automated methods of recognizing or verifying the identity of a living person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. Biometrics comprises methods for uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits. In IT biometrics is used as a form of identity access management and access control. It is also used to identify individuals in groups that are under surveillance.

Biometric recognition is verifying somebodys identity from her/his characteristics. Or identifying who he/she is from what he/she possesses. There are two classes of biometric characteristics: Physiological are related to the shape of the body. Examples include, but are not limited to fingerprint, face recognition, DNA, hand and palm geometry, iris recognition, which has largely replaced retina, and odor/scent. Behavioral are related to the behavior of a person. Examples include, but are not limited to typing rhythm, gait, and voice. Some researchers have coined the term behaviometrics for this class of biometrics. Parameters for human characteristic being used for biometrics include: universality each person should have the characteristic; uniqueness is how well the biometric separates individuals from another; permanence measures how well a biometric resists aging and other variance over time; collectability ease of acquisition for measurement; performance accuracy, speed, and robustness of technology used; acceptability degree of approval of a technology; and circumvention ease of use of a substitute. There are two modes of operating by a biometric system: one is verification A one to one comparison of a captured biometric with a stored template to verify that the individual is who he claims to be. It can be done in conjunction with a smart card, username or ID number; the other is identification A one to many comparison of the captured biometric against a biometric database in attempt to identify an unknown individual. Both verification and identification are recognition [2]. Applications of the technology include checking the identity of passengers at borders, checking the identity of entrants at the gate of public events, proving the identity of payments, social security, and others benefits claimants, restricting access to secure premises, checking the identity of voters at polling booths and identifying known criminals, etc. In comparison with traditional technologies the advantages of biometric technologies seem to be more accurate, more reliable, more effective, more confidential and convenient, as well as would be cheaper with technical simplification and mass manufactures of biometric products. For example, a fingerprint scanner that cost $3,000 five years ago, with software included, and $500 two years ago, costs $100 today [1].

Sutrop (2010) Biometrics is a tool used to identify and reliably confirm an individuals identity on the bassis of physiological or behavioural characteristics. The widespread use of biometric technologies