Reply #9: A biometric scan is similar to the old fingerprint classification system.

[Gormy Cuss]

The older manual classification system required about a dozen classifications of features on the fingerprint. Using the classification investigators in different locations could eliminate most suspects based on the classification alone --the classification scheme is that good. To confirm that the same person left two different prints required a review of actual fingerprints but the classification alone can narrow it done to a very few people by itself.

I don't know how many points are coded into the system used by Disney, but the more points classified, the closer it becomes to being as accurate an identifier as the law enforcement fingerprint classification system.

Disney moved from two finger coding to one -- it would be interesting to know if the same number of data points are coded or if they increased it to compensate for the dropoff in accuracy and the likelihood of a unique number. To meet the stated goal, the system must track all visitors in a 30 day window. I don't know what the attendance numbers are like at Disney but it strikes me that the level of coding must be fairly high to assure uniqueness. The closer it is to a 12 point system, the closer it becomes to a valuable external identifier for law enforcement use and for targeted marketing.