Biometric testing to be
done with existing staff
by Jim Fisher
STAFF WRITER
BRIDGEPORT -- Testing of a new
military biometric security card is
not expected to add any new jobs to
the area, but instead will be
conducted with existing staff at the
Department of Defense's Biometric
Fusion Center.
The testing is another step in the
state's bid to corner part of the
intellectual market relating to the
science of biometrics, according to
Michael Yura, head of West Virginia
University's Forensics Identification
Program. The testing also is a step
toward broad acceptance of
biometrics in everyday life, Yura
said.
While the testing program is not
expected to have any immediate
impact on the area's economy, the
U.S. Army -- which is leading the
biometrics program -- has always
maintained the current site in
Bridgeport is a temporary facility,
said Tom Gavin, a spokesman for
Sen. Robert C. Byrd.
Gavin said the Army has not yet
submitted a plan for a permanent
facility and he was unsure when
that may happen.
Yura said one of the sites mentioned
-- Charles Pointe -- meets the Army's
criteria generally, although no
definite decisions have been made.
Proximity to the FBI's fingerprint
center in Clarksburg were a part of
early discussions about a permanent
facility, Yura said.
"I know this is a strong priority for
Sen. Byrd, but at this moment I just
don't know," Yura said of a timeline
for the facility. "I haven't seen any
military budgetary projections for
next year."
Biometrics are digitized images of
identifiable bodily characteristics
such as fingerprints, palm prints or
irises.
Although now widely used by the
military for security, Yura said
biometric identification in civilian
life is not far off.
"In the September issue of Discover
magazine, they listed 20 things they
believe will be obsolete in 20 years.
No. 2 on the list was the personal
signature," Yura said.
Staff writer Jim Fisher can be
reached at 626-1446 or by e-mail at
jfisher@exponent-telegram.com
cpubco.com
steve |
