Title: Challenging USB fingerprint scanner security protocol: a methodology using casting agents to capture digit and latent ridge detail to enable access

Authors: Samuel McKenna; Mark Butler

Addresses: School of Science and Engineering, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK ' School of Science and Engineering, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK

Abstract: Fingerprint scanners are used as a form of control with access limited to the beholder of the ridge detail. However, to what extent these devices are capable of providing that control has not been fully explored. This study tested the reliability of a fingerprint scanner in accessing enrolled fingerprint data, when faced with the challenge of fake fingerprints. Ridge detail casts were crafted from moulds, with gelatine and silicone being applied as casting agents. The second stage required participants to place fingerprints on a bottle or tile; these latent impressions were subsequently powdered using Magneta Flake. Provil, a forensic casting material was applied directly onto the powder, creating simulated fingerprints from a latent print. Each of the produced fingerprints then went through a scanning process. All materials tested were able to gain access through the participants' enrolled data. This suggests potential unreliability of the fingerprint scanner in storing pertinent data.

Keywords: biometrics; fake fingerprints; fingerprint scanning; cyber crime; fingerprint data; identification; verification; theft; cryptography; security; hacking; USB fingerprint scanners; scanner security; casting agents; gelatine; silicone; digit detail; latent ridge detail; simulation; latent prints.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBM.2016.077826

International Journal of Biometrics, 2016 Vol.8 No.2, pp.83 - 96

Received: 03 Jun 2015
Accepted: 25 Feb 2016
Published online: 16 Jul 2016 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article