Sample Undergraduate 2:1 Information Systems Dissertation Proposal
Advantages and Disadvantages of Biometrics in Forensic Examinations
According to predictions, one of the top ten new technologies that will transform the world is biometrics (Woodward et al., 2003, p. xxiii). Authentication (Kanev et al., 2016), defence (Aydodu, 2013), and forensic investigations are only a few of the significant fields where biometrics have been portrayed as having important applications (Jain and Ross, 2015). After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the usage of these devices for national security started to gain precedence (Bolle et al., 2013). In order to investigate biometrics effectively, this research project will evaluate both their advantages and benefits as well as their drawbacks. There are numerous problems with the fundamental idea of biometrics, which will be examined (Pugliese, 2012).
In order to confirm or authenticate a subject’s identification, biometric systems use a subject’s physiological, chemical, or other behavioural features (Pugliese, 2012). This includes a three-step process: first, the biometric imaging system makes a “imprint” of the subject, such as a facial scan, which records the person’s distinct biometric characteristics in an image of the subject’s facial features (Pugliese, 2012). Algorithms are then used to turn the facial scan into a “template.” Following that, the subject’s distinctive biometric traits are saved for comparison with subsequent scans in which the person’s identity is confirmed using the initial template (Pugliese, 2012).
Although there are many applications for biometrics, this research project will specifically focus on using them in forensic investigations. In order to provide evidence for a legal process on which a prosecution can be founded when a crime has been committed, forensic investigations involve the collecting of physical or digital evidence and strive to reach the dependability, certainty, and authority of a scientific inquiry (Turvey and Crowder, 2017). Hence, biometrics make it possible to automate and replace older human procedures to forensic exams with computational methodologies. With the benefits of boosting accuracy, reliability, and speed of application in criminal investigations, the use of biometrics in the identification of criminal perpetrators is viewed as a major shift in the way that crimes are investigated.
Literature Review
According to research, the science of biometrics has been used in forensic applications, where the presenting of evidence depends on accurate identification. These methods can be used to demonstrate that a crime has been committed and to identify the offender (Saini and Kapoor, 2016). Criminal investigations typically take a long time, which causes significant delays, and are frequently ineffective, which results in huge costs. There is a need for an automated crime investigation process that can offer precise and trustworthy ways to identify criminal activity (Saini and Kapoor, 2016). With the use of a suspect’s physical traits, such as their fingerprints, face, hand geometry, iris (physiological), voice, and signature (behavioural), biometrics have been utilised to identify them (Bolle et al., 2013). DNA, ear shape, odour, retina, skin reflectance, thermogram (physiological), stride, keystroke, and lip motion (behavioural) are other indicators that are employed less frequently or are still in the research stages (Bolle et al., 2013). These distinct traits, which are measurable, can be utilised to distinguish between living people and those who have passed away (Sauerwein et al., 2017). The sensor module, feature extraction module, matcher module, decision-making module, and systems-based module are the five interconnected modules that make up biometric systems (Arunalatha and Ezhilarasan, 2016).
Importance of Research
The purpose of this study is to better understand how biometric technology can help forensic science identify criminals through advancing forensic science. The research aims to assess the current state of advancements of biometric technologies in relation to forensic examinations as well as to take into account prospective future directions. As has been mentioned, there are still numerous shortcomings in these new techniques that need to be solved.
Aims and Objectives
The study’s objective is to assess the benefits and drawbacks of current developments in biometric technology as they relate to forensic examinations. The pursuing of the following goals will help to further this goal:
to assess current biometrics trends and potential uses
to pay particular attention to the benefits of biometric techniques in forensic investigations
to assess the drawbacks of the various techniques and solutions for them.
Methodology
The research study will use a qualitative technique and will make use of academic journals, conference papers, and academic texts to assess current biometric technology trends. A secondary study of prior research papers on biometric identification technologies is part of the process. The benefit of secondary analysis is that, in comparison to primary research methods, it allows the researcher to devote more time to the examination and interpretation of data (Bryman, 2015). Several journal databases, such as ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, SCOPUS, and ProQuest, will be mentioned. Search phrases used in these databases include “biometrics,” “identity,” “authentication,” and “forensic investigations.” In order to focus on only contemporary techniques, the literature search will only include publications from the last ten years.
