Fingerprint scanners have become more common in the real world as the technology has advanced, as fingerprints provide a unique identifier for each person even identical twins. Fingerprint scanners work by analyzing the ridges and valleys of fingerprints at a detailed level to pick out clear differences between fingerprints, and advanced systems do not need a full fingerprint match but can verify identity by finding a sufficient number of similar minutiae patterns between what is scanned and the print on record. However, the main disadvantage is that if identity information is ever stolen from a biometric system, the damage could be extensive.

1. Computerized fingerprint scanners have
been a mainstay of spy thrillers for
decades, but up until recently, they were
pretty exotic technology in the real world.

2. Fingerprints are a unique marker for a
person, even an identical twin. And while
two prints may look basically the same at
a glance, a trained investigator or an
advanced piece of software can pick out
clear, defined differences.

3. If the fingerprint image has good
definition, a line running perpendicular to
the ridges will be made up of alternating
sections of very dark pixels and very light
pixels.

4. Main advantage of a capacitive scanner
is that it requires a real fingerprint-type
shape, rather than the pattern of light and
dark that makes up the visual impression
of a fingerprint.

5. Scanner system doesn't have to find the
entire pattern of minutiae both in the
sample and in the print on record, it
simply has to find a sufficient number of
minutiae patterns that the two prints have
in common.

6. Real problem with biometric security
systems is the extent of the damage
when somebody does manage to steal
the identity information.