Biometrics Many thanks to Claire Mourtérot
How do people handle biometrics?
To what extent does biometrics help people's lives ?
I - Introduction
A/ Watch the video
SCRIPT :
Biometric screening is a way of using an individual specific physical or biological characteristics to verify identity. Its purpose is to tighten security protecting personal documents such as passports or contracts, making actions like withdrawing money or entering private premises safer and easier.
The oldest and most widely used form is digital fingerprinting. Unique and permanent except when a person suffers severe burns, the patterns making up our fingerprints are identifiable thanks to regions known as deltas, forks (fourche) and ridge (crête) endings. Each print contains up to 90 of these points, but using just a dozen or so should be enough to identify one identical twin from another.
Eye scans work in a similar way thanks to the distinct structure of each individual, iris reliable identification is possible. The technique, however, is costly.
A less expensive option : using a palm morphology reader. The only problem : the form of a person's hand changes over time. This technique can be useful, however, for quick identification purposes even in dusty or dirty conditions and that's why it's often used on construction sites and at harbors.
Finger or hand vein recognition is another way of checking identity as infrared light shows the patterns unique to each individual. Already present at birth, they remain with us until we die.
Finally, there's the good old-fashioned signing on the dotted line of contracts and papers. Pressure points, pace and patterns all make up the specific identity of our signature.
Questions :
How do the sensors presented in the video work? What technology is used for fingerprint or facial recognition?
Draw a diagram of a biometric sensor (explaining the use of ultrasonic waves for fingerprints or infrared light for vein recognition).
B/ Vocabulary
B / Vocabulary
biometric (adjective)
relating to the measurement and analysis of unique physical or behavioral characteristics, especially as a means of verifying personal identity.
Example Sentence: The biometric technology at the airport scans passengers' faces to confirm their identities.
screening (noun)
the process of examining or testing people or things to identify those that are suitable or appropriate.
Example Sentence: The school conducts health screenings to check students' vision and hearing.
identity (noun)
the fact of being who or what a person or thing is.
Example Sentence: She had to show her driver's license as proof of her identity.
fingerprinting (noun)
the process of taking and analyzing fingerprints for identification purposes.
Example Sentence: The police used fingerprinting to match the suspect's prints to those found at the crime scene.
morphology (noun)
the study of the forms of words and how they are related to other words in a language.
Example Sentence: In linguistics class, we learned about the morphology of different languages.
Encryption: The process of converting information into a code to prevent unauthorized access.
Data breach: An incident where sensitive information is accessed without permission.
Authentication: The process of verifying the identity of a person or device.
C/ Understand
C /Understand
1 - What is the main idea of this passage?
A) Biometric screening is a secure way to confirm someone's identity using their unique physical characteristics.
B) Digital fingerprinting is the most common form of biometric screening.
C) Eye scans and palm morphology readers are expensive or have limitations.
D) Signing contracts and papers with our unique signature is a traditional way to confirm our identity.
2 - Which of the following excerpts from the passage best supports the authors claim that 'biometric screening helps keep important documents safe'?
A) It helps keep important documents safe and makes things like getting money or going into private places more secure.
B) The most common form of biometric screening is digital fingerprinting.
C) Eye scans and palm morphology readers are other options, but they can be expensive or have limitations.
D) Finger or hand vein recognition uses infrared light to show the unique patterns in our veins.
3 - According to the text, what is one limitation of eye scans and palm morphology readers?
A) They are expensive.
B) They have limitations.
C) They cannot confirm someone's identity accurately.
D) They are not commonly used.
4 - How does biometric encryption protect personal data?
Answer this question writing a proper sentence in English on your notebook.
5 - What are the risks of a data breach in biometric systems?
Answer this question writing a proper sentence in English on your notebook.
Remember :
- Biometric screening confirms identity using unique physical characteristics
- Digital fingerprinting is the most common form of biometric screening
- Other options include eye scans, palm morphology readers, and vein recognition
D - Writing
1/ Have you ever had to use your unique signature to confirm your identity? If so, when and why? How you would secure access to a high-tech facility using biometric technologies ?
Answer the questions writing proper sentences in English.
II - Pros and cons
A / Reading
Team 1 : Read the text and prepare a report focusing on the positive aspect(s) of these technologies, how they can be useful
Team 2 : Read the text and prepare a report focusing on the negative aspect(s) of these technologies, the dangers they can have
B/ Watching
Team 1 :
Team 2 :
Team 3 :
Team 4 :
Team 5 :
III - Final task : debate
Debate:
"Should biometric technologies replace traditional security methods in industrial environments? Discuss the pros and cons considering technical, ethical, and financial aspects."
Final Presentation:
Create a technical project: Each group of 3 or 4 students presents its biometric system for a fictional company. The presentation should include:
The technical functioning of the device
The pros and cons
Additional security measures (encryption, failure protection)
Assessment Criteria
Clarity of argumentation (5 points)
Use of technical vocabulary (5 points)
Ability to explain technological concepts in English (5 points)
Quality of oral presentation (pronunciation, fluency) (5 points)