Bone-Based Biometrics

Abstract

<p>Biometrics is the science of statistically measuring and examining biological data. Fingerprint scans, retinal scans and facial recognition are just some of the methods that are currently used to distinguish one person from another. Whereas these methods are generally successful, there are drawbacks with each approach. For example, an accurate retinal scan can only be acquired from a cooperative subject who is within a certain distance of the scanner and fingerprint patterns can also be altered. Therefore, we propose an alternative biometric that may recognize individuals based on their bone structure. Bone-based biometrics are expected to be a "spoof-proof' means for recognizing people, since adult bone structure is very stable and is only appreciably altered after serious injury (fractures or surgical intervention) which is obvious. Therefore, it is believed that this method will offer higher accuracy than existing methods. The proposed research has three objectives: 1) to provide preliminary insight into the previously unexplored field of bonebased biometrics; 2) to conduct a small human pilot study in which bone biometric signatures are gathered and analyzed; and 3) to identify the specific bone features that appear most promising as a future biometric.</p><p>This presentation occurred at the Wright State University Campus-Wide Celebration of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities on April 8, 2011</p>