Fingerprinting is method of identification using the impression made by the minute ridge formations or patterns found on the underside of the distal end of each finger in humans. No two people have exactly the same arrangement of ridge patterns, and the patterns of any one individual remain unchanged throughout life. To obtain a set of fingerprints, the ends of the fingers are inked and then pressed or rolled one by one on some receiving surface. Fingerprints may be classified and filed on the basis of the ridge patterns, setting up an identification system that is almost infallible.

Nowadays a technician compares a fingerprint found at the scene of a crime against police records. The fingerprint is a unique characteristic of each individual. It is a guaranteed means of identification, and taking fingerprints is a standard procedure in a criminal investigation. Each person's fingertips have a unique pattern of ridges that remains unchanged throughout life. After arresting an individual, police make an impression of these patterns, known as fingerprints. Nowadays law enforcement agencies digitize these fingerprints and store the images electronically for ease of reference.

FINGERPRINTING SCHOOL CHILDREN

Biometrics is the science and technology of measuring and analyzing biological data. In information technology, biometrics refers to technologies that measure and analyze human body characteristics, such as fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial patterns and hand measurements, for authentication purposes. Authentication by biometric verification is becoming increasingly common in corporate and public security systems, consumer electronics and point of sale (POS) applications. In addition to security, the driving force behind biometric verification has been convenience.

Biometric devices, such as fingerscanners, consist of: A reader or scanning device, Software that converts the scanned information into digital form and compares match points, a database that stores the biometric data for comparison.

To prevent identity theft, biometric data is usually encrypted when it's gathered. Here's how biometric verification works on the back end: To convert the biometric input, a software application is used to identify specific points of data as match points. The match points in the database are processed using an algorithm that translates that information into a numeric value. The database value is compared with the biometric input the end user has entered into the scanner and authentication is either approved or denied.

Thousands of children are being fingerprinted by their schools, some without parents' knowledge. Human rights campaigners have reacted angrily to the news, saying the fingerprinting was unnecessary and an invasion of privacy, and questioning its safety. They said children were being "conditioned" into thinking it were normal to have to divulge personal information.

Why does it all matter? Because a password is something you have; a fingerprint is something you are. A password can be reset, reissued, forgotten, copied, written down, or changed. A fingerprint is for life. Like the ID card, as biometric systems pervade society they will be used to secure data of a serious nature. Identity theft will become far more dangerous.

BIG BROTHER ?

Fingerprints have historically been used by law enforcement agencies to track down those suspected of committing criminal acts. For this reason, fingerprints have raised concerns over loss of dignity and privacy. Furthermore, the central retention of fingerprints and multiple access by different arms of government tends to evoke images of "Big Brother" surveillance.

The threat to privacy arises not from the positive identification that biometrics provide best, but the ability of third parties to access this data in identifiable form and link it to other information, resulting in secondary uses of the information, without the consent of the data subject. This erodes the personal control of an individual over the uses of his or her information. Informational privacy is defined as the ability to maintain control over the use and dissemination of one's personal information. It revolves around freedom of choice and personal control -- informational self-determination.