NIST and Biometrics	Back to Homepage
Systems using biometrics automated methods of recognizing a person based on physiological or behavioral characteristics are increasingly being used to verify identities and restrict access to buildings, computer networks, and other secure sites. The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has decades of experience improving human identification systems. A Long History with Fingerprints The successful use of the classic biometric, fingerprints, owes much to NIST research and development. For more than 30 years, NIST computer scientists have helped the FBI improve the automation process for matching “rolled” fingerprints taken by law enforcement agencies or "latent" prints found at crime scenes against the FBI’s master file of fingerprints. NIST test data have been used to develop automated systems that can correctly match fingerprints by the minutiae, or tiny details, that investigators previously had to read by hand. In cooperation with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), NIST also developed a uniform way for fingerprint, facial, scar, mark, and tattoo data to be exchanged between different jurisdictions and between dissimilar systems made by different manufacturers. In conjunction with the FBI, NIST has developed several databases, including one consisting of 258 latent fingerprints and their matching "rolled" file prints. This database can be used by researchers and commercial developers to create and test new fingerprint identification algorithms, test commercial and research systems that conform to the NIST/ANSI standard, and assist in training latent fingerprint examiners. The increasing use of specialized “live” fingerprint scanners will help ensure that a high-quality fingerprint can be captured quickly and added to the FBI’s current files. Use of these scanners also should speed up the matching of fingerprints against the FBI database of more than 40 million prints. Improved Biometrics Critical to Border Security Computer scientists at NIST also have extensive experience working with systems that match facial images. While facial recognition systems employ different algorithms than fingerprint systems, many of the underlying methods for testing the accuracy of these systems are the same. Many companies have developed software that uses complex algorithms to do facial recognition. NIST researchers have designed tests to measure the accuracy and reliability of these software programs in matching facial patterns, using both still and video images. This work has been extended to include the specific biometric systems and scenarios required for visa systems under the Patriot Act, as amended by the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act. NIST has statutory responsibilities to develop and certify a technology standard that can be used to verify the identity of persons applying for a U.S. visa or using a visa to enter the country. The Department of Justice and Department of State also expect NIST to certify the accuracy of specific government and commercial systems being considered for use in this visa system. These acts called for developing and certifying a technology standard for verifying the identity of individuals, and determining the accuracy of biometrics. NIST recently tested both face and fingerprint recognition technology to support this effort. Large realistic test samples of biometric images (both face and fingerprint) were obtained from the State and Justice departments. NIST has developed a test bed for determining the accuracy of fingerprint algorithms. Testing showed that fingerprints provide higher accuracy than facial systems. This program will produce standard measurements of accuracy for biometric systems, standard XML-based scoring software, and accuracy measurements for specific biometrics required for the system scenarios mandated under the Border Security Act. This work will have wide impact beyond the mandated systems; standard test methods are likely to be accepted as international standards, and discussions are under way concerning the use of these same standards for airport security. In November 2002, NIST submitted its report on this work to the State and Justice departments for transmittal to the U.S. Congress in February 2003. The report recommended a dual approach that employs both fingerprint and facial recognition technology for a biometrics system to make the nation’s borders more secure. Additional NIST studies evaluated the effectiveness and reliability of computerized facial recognition and fingerprint matching systems. NIST Plays Key Role in Biometric Standards Open consensus standards, and associated testing, are critical to providing higher levels of security through biometric identification systems. Throughout the years, NIST has worked in partnership with U.S. industry and other federal agencies to establish formal groups for accelerating national and international biometric standardization. Two examples are the Technical Committee M1 on Biometrics, started in November 2001 by the executive board of the International Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS), and the subcommittee on biometrics (the Joint Technical Committee 1 SC 37 - Biometrics) created in June 2002 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). INCITS announced in July 2004 that five standards for the exchange of biometric data were adopted by ANSI. More recently, NIST has been charged with developing a standard for secure and reliable forms of identification issued by the federal government to its employees and contractors. Consortium Helps Advance Biometric Technologies The Biometric Consortium serves as the federal government’s focal point for research, development, testing, evaluation, and application of biometric-based personal identification and verification technology. The consortium now has more than 900 members, including 60 government agencies. NIST and the National Security Agency co-chair the consortium. NIST has collaborated with the consortium, the biometric industry, and other biometric organizations to create a Common Biometric Exchange File Format (CBEFF). The format already is part of government requirements for data interchange and is being adopted by the biometric industry. The specification is a candidate for fast track approval as an ANSI standard and as an international standard for exchange of many types of biometric data files, including data on fingerprints, faces, palm prints, retinas, and iris and voice patterns. NIST co-chairs the CBEFF Technical Development Team. Taken from: NIST
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