Biometric recognition, or simply biometrics, is a rapidly evolving field with applications ranging from accessing one's computer, to gaining entry into a country. Biometric systems rely on the use of physical or behavioral traits, such as fingerprints, face, voice and hand geometry, to establish the identity of an individual. The deployment of large-scale biometric systems in both commercial (e.g., grocery stores, amusement parks, airports) and government (e.g., US-VISIT) applications, increases the public's awareness of this technology. This rapid growth also highlights the challenges associated with designing and deploying biometric systems. Indeed, the problem of biometric recognition is a grand challenge in its own right. The past five years have seen a significant growth in biometric research resulting in the development of innovative sensors, robust and efficient algorithms for feature extraction and matching, enhanced test methodologies and novel applications. Theseadvances have resulted in robust, accurate, secure and cost effective biometric systems.

"Biometrics is a rapidly evolving field with applications ranging from accessing one's computer to gaining entry into a country. The deployment of large-scale biometric systems in both commercial and government applications has served to increase the public's awareness of this technology. This rapid growth has highlighted the challenges associated with designing and deploying biometric systems. Indeed, the problem of biometric authentication is a Grand Challenge in its own right.

to Biometrics.- Fingerprint Recognition.- Face Recognition.- Iris Recognition.- Hand Geometry Recognition.- Gait Recognition.- The Ear as a Biometric.- Voice Biometrics.- A Palmprint Authentication System.- On-Line Signature Verification.- 3D Face Recognition.- Automatic Forensic Dental Identification.- Hand Vascular Pattern Technology.- to Multibiometrics.- Multispectral Face Recognition.- Multibiometrics Using Face and Ear.- Incorporating Ancillary Information in Multibiometric Systems.- The Law and the Use of Biometrics.- Biometric System Security.- Spoof Detection Schemes.- Linkages between Biometrics and Forensic Science.- Biometrics in the Government Sector.- Biometrics in the Commercial Sector.- Biometrics Standards.- Biometrics databases.