Main benefits
The increasing threat of identity fraud requires a strengthening of security features in passports. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) – which sets international standards- nominated facial recognition as the primary biometric with iris and fingerprint as backup but not mandatory. The use of biometric information to link a person to a passport can help to counter identify fraud. In practice, biometric verification can be used at border controls and to verify the image on a passport renewal application against images held on record.
The use of biometric information to link a person to a passport serves a dual role:
- Helps to detect counterfeit or manipulated documents
- Confirms the identify of the individual
