Verification requires more matches against templates than does identification.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Both A and B
• D. Neither A nor B

Answer: (B)

In biometrics, the difference between verification and identification is the number of comparisons you perform. Verification is a 1:1 check: you compare the input sample to a single, claimed identity’s template. Identification is a 1:N search: you compare the input sample against many templates in a database to find a match. Because you must compare against many templates in identification, it actually requires more matches than verification. Therefore the statement is false. For example, verifying a fingerprint against one stored fingerprint is just one comparison, while identifying someone involves checking the fingerprint against thousands of stored templates to find who matches.