The A to Z of biometrics

Signature verification

Rather than simply measure whether a signature is similar to a copy held on file, this measures variables such as the speed, pressure and angle used by the pen when writing. These are unique to each individual. This means it can't be faked in the same way that a normal written signature can be.

The list from A to Z

Click on the links below to find out more on each of the entries in the list.

A is for Accuracy
B is for Behavioural biometric
C is for Cash machine
D is for Database
E is for Ear
F is for Facial recognition
G is for Gummi bears
H is for Hand geometry
I is for Iris
J is for Juan Vucetich
K is for Keystroke dynamics
L is for Liveness testing
M is for Mobile phones
N is for Network security
O is for Oxford
P is for Palm
Q is for Queues
R is for Registration
S is for Signature verification
T is for Twins
U is for Universality
V is for Voice verification
W is for Walk
X is for X-ray
Y is for Young
Z is for Zurich Airport

One benefit of such a system is it can be integrated into existing digital signature systems (such as those in retailers) and most people are happy to sign for something. But people do tend to change their signature over time, which can make it harder to get a match.