Liveness Detection
Definition
A biometric system component that distinguishes a live biological sample from an artefact-based spoof. Methods include blood-flow detection, ridge flexibility measurement, and challenge-response tests.
- Purpose
- Distinguish a live sample from an artefact-based spoof
- Method examples
- Blood-flow detection, ridge flexibility, challenge-response
- System role
- Anti-spoofing component of a biometric system
Common questions
What is a challenge-response liveness test?+
The system prompts an action, such as a blink, head turn, or spoken phrase, that a static artefact like a printed photo or a moulded fingerprint cannot convincingly reproduce.
Why does liveness detection matter to casework involving biometric spoofing?+
Its failure or absence is how fabricated fingerprints or photo and video spoofs can defeat a biometric authentication system, which becomes directly relevant when that authentication is offered as evidence.
Related terms
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- BIPA
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- Clearview AI
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- GDPR Article 9
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- GEDmatch
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- Investigative Genealogy
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- NAFRS
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- NIST FRVT
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology Face Recognition Vendor Testing programme, the primary independent benchmark for facial recognition algorithms, publishing ongoing...
- Presentation Attack (Biometric)
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