BIOMETRIC FINGERPRINT TERMS M
Match
A decision that a biometric sample and a stored template comes from the same human source, based on their high level of similarity (difference or hamming distance).
Matching
The process of comparing a biometric sample against a previously stored template and scoring the level of similarity (difference or hamming distance). Systems then make decisions based on this score and its relationship (above or below) a predetermined threshold.
Mimic
The presentation of a live biometric measure in an attempt to fraudulently impersonate someone other than the submitter.
Minutia(e) Point
Friction ridge characteristics that are used to individualize a fingerprint image see illustration below. Minutiae are the points where friction ridges begin, terminate, or split into two or more ridges. In many fingerprint systems, the minutiae (as opposed to the images) are compared for recognition purposes.
Modality
A type or class of biometric system. For example: face recognition, fingerprint recognition, iris recognition, etc.
Model
A representation used to characterize an individual. Behavioral based biometric systems, because of the inherently dynamic characteristics, use models rather than static templates.
Multimodal Biometric System
A biometric system in which two or more of the modality components (biometric characteristic, sensor type or feature extraction algorithm) occurs in multiple.