The idea that machines can automatically recognize people by their faces, fingerprints, voices, iris patterns, hand geometries, signatures, hand vein patterns or other unique physical traits opens up a world of possibilities in the field of security and not only. While today’s implementations may not be as technically perfect as those in the movies, biometric technology is already being effectively applied to authenticate users logging onto computers, identify employees accessing high security facilities, and check whether travelers entering a country are included on watch lists.

By including biometrics in electronic ID documents, including passports, issuing authorities are able to guarantee that ID documents can only be used by their owner.