Biometric Usability

The Visualization and Usability Group conducting research on the usability of biometrics.  With the plans for integrating biometrics into many areas of government  

 and public life, the importance of usability research has increased. We hope this site can broaden the awareness of what usability research is and why it is critical to the success of  many biometric programs. Additional resources are located at the bottom of this page.

Reports & Publications

Forensic Latent Fingerprint Preprocessing Assessment
June 11, 2018
Author(s): Paul Y. Lee, Haiying Guan, Andrew M. Dienstfrey, Mary F. Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton, Matthew Schwarz

Analysis, Comparison, and Assessment of Latent Fingerprint Image Preprocessing
July 21, 2017
Author(s): Haiying Guan, Paul Y. Lee, Andrew M. Dienstfrey, Mary F. Theofanos, Curtis L. Lamp, Brian C. Stanton, Matthew Schwarz

Digital Identity Guidelines: Authentication and Lifecycle Management
June 22, 2017
Author(s): Paul A. Grassi, Elaine M. Newton, Ray A. Perlner, Andrew R. Regenscheid, William E. Burr, Justin P. Richer, Naomi B. Lefkovitz, Jamie M. Danker, Yee-Yin Choong, Kristen Greene, Mary F. Theofanos

Digital Identity Guidelines: Enrollment and Identity Proofing Requirements
June 22, 2017
Author(s): Paul A. Grassi, James L. Fenton, Naomi B. Lefkovitz, Jamie M. Danker, Yee-Yin Choong, Kristen Greene, Mary F. Theofanos

Contactless Fingerprint Devices Usability Test
March 6, 2017
Author(s): Susanne M. Furman, Brian C. Stanton, Mary F. Theofanos, John M. Libert, John D. Grantham

Usability Testing of a Contactless Fingerprint Device: Part 1
December 7, 2016
Author(s):Brian C. Stanton, Mary F. Theofanos, Susanne M. Furman, John M. Libert, Shahram Orandi, John D. Grantham

Usability Testing of a Contactless Fingerprint Device: Part 2
December 7, 2016
Author(s): Brian C. Stanton, Mary F. Theofanos, Susanne M. Furman, Patrick J. Grother

Secure and usable enterprise authentication: Lessons from the Field
October 26, 2016
Author(s): Mary F. Theofanos, Simson L. Garfinkel, Yee-Yin Choong

Ten-Print Fingerprint Self-Captures: Graphics-only User Guidance without Language
Published: 9/29/2014
Authors: Yee-Yin Choong, Mary Frances Theofanos

Ten-Print Fingerprint Self-Captures: Graphics-only User Guidance without Language
September 29, 2014
Author(s): Yee-Yin Choong, Mary F. Theofanos

A Measurement Metric for Forensic Latent Fingerprint Preprocessing
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)Report Number: 8017
Published: 8/1/2014
Authors: Haiying Guan, Andrew M. Dienstfrey, Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C Stanton 

Design and Testing of a Mobile Touchscreen Interface for Multi-Modal Biometric Capture
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Report Number: 8003
Published: 8/1/2014
Authors: Kristen Greene, Ross J. Micheals, Kayee Kwong, Gregory P. Fiumara

Fingerprint Scanner Affordances
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Report Number: 7944
Published: 9/30/2013
Authors: Michelle Potts Steves, Brian C Stanton, Mary Frances Theofanos, Dana E. Chisnell, Hannah Wald

A New Metric for Latent Fingerprint Image Preprocessing
Published: 6/24/2013
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Andrew M Dienstfrey, Brian C. Stanton, Haiying Guan

Camera Recognition
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) Report Number: 7921
Published: 3/26/2013
Authors: Michelle Potts Steves, Brian C. Stanton, Mary Frances Theofanos, Dana E. Chisnell, Hannah Wald

Fingerprint Self-Captures: Usability of a fingerprint system with real-time feedback
Published: 9/26/2012 Authors: Yee-Yin Choong, Mary Frances Theofanos, Haiying Guan

Latent Print Examination and Human Factors: Improving the Practice through a Systems Approach
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) Report Number: 7842
Published: 2/17/2012
Authors: Melissa K Taylor, David H. Kaye, Thomas Busey, Melissa Gische, Gerry LaPorte, Colin Aitken, Susan M. Ballou, Leonard Butt, Christophe Champod, David Charlton, Itiel E. Dror, Jules Epstein, Robert J. Garrett, Max Houck, Edward J. Imwinkelried, Ralph Keaton, Glenn Langenburg, Deborah A. Leben, Alice Maceo, Kenneth F. Martin, Jennifer L. Mnookin, Cedric Neumann, Joe Polski, Maria Antonia Roberts, Scott A. Shappell, Lyle Shaver, Sargur N. Srihari, Hal S. Stern, David Stoney, Anjali Swienton, Mary Frances Theofanos, Robert Meryln Thompson, John Vanderkolk, Maria Weir, Kasey Wertheim

Real-time Feedback for Usable Fingerprint Systems
Published: 10/11/2011
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton, Yee-Yin Choong, Haiying Guan

An Empirical Study of Korean Cultural Effects on the Usability of Biometric Symbols
Published: 6/17/2010
Authors: Young-Bin Kwon, Yooyoung Lee, Yee-Yin Choong

Biometric symbol design for the public - case studies in the United States and four Asian countries
Published: 1/18/2010
Authors: Yee-Yin Choong, Brian C. Stanton, Mary Frances Theofanos

Biometrics Systems Include Users
Published: 12/16/2009
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Ross J. Micheals, Brian C. Stanton

Hostage Rescue Team Quick Capture Platform Use Case Document
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Report Number: 7644
Published: 9/30/2009
Authors: Brian C. Stanton, Yee-Yin Choong, Mary Frances Theofanos

Quick Capture Platform Graphics
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Report Number: 7646
Published: 9/30/2009
Authors: Brian C. Stanton, Yee-Yin Choong, Mary Frances Theofanos, Patrick Hoffman

Assessing Face Overlay
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Report Number: 7578
Published: 8/17/2009
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton, Charles L. Sheppard, Ross J. Micheals, Yee-Yin Choong, John W. Wydler II, Kevin C. Mangold, Michelle Potts Steves, Emile L. Morse

Symbol Representing Biometrics in Use
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Report Number: 7645
Published: 7/30/2009
Authors: Yee-Yin Choong, Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton

Does the Angle of a Fingerprint Scanner Affect User Performance?
Published: 9/22/2008
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Ross J. Micheals, Shahram Orandi, Brian C. Stanton, Nien F. Zhang, Charles L. Sheppard

Assessing Face Acquisition
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Report Number: 7540
Published: 9/15/2008
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton, Charles L. Sheppard, Ross J. Micheals, John M. Libert, Shahram Orandi

Usability Testing of Face Image Capture for US Ports of Entry
Published: 9/10/2008
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton, Charles L. Sheppard, Ross J. Micheals

Usability and Biometrics: Ensuring Successful Biometric Systems
Published: 6/11/2008
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton, Cari Wolfson

How the User can Improve Fingerprint Image Quality
Published: 5/12/2008
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Ross J. Micheals, Shahram Orandi, Brian C. Stanton, Nien F. Zhang

Usability Testing of Height and Angles of Ten-Print Fingerprint Capture
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Report Number: 7504
Published: 5/11/2008
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton, Charles L. Sheppard, Ross J. Micheals, John W. Wydler II, Nien F. Zhang, Lawrence Nadel, William Rubin

A Study of Users with Visual Disabilities and a Fingerprint Process
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Report Number: 7484
Published: 4/10/2008
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton, Charles L. Sheppard

Making Biometric Systems Usable Let's Not Forget the User
Published: 12/31/2007
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton  

A Framework for the Evaluation of Pervasive Information Systems
Published: 12/28/2007
Authors: Jean C. Scholtz, Mary Frances Theofanos, Sunny Consolvo

Usability Testing of Ten-Print Fingerprint Capture
Published: 10/8/2007
Authors: Brian C Stanton, Mary Frances Theofanos, Shahram Orandi, Ross J. Micheals, Nien F. Zhang

Biometric Systematic uncertainty and the User
Published: 9/12/2007
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Ross J. Micheals, Shahram Orandi, Brian C. Stanton

Effects of Scanner Height on Fingerprint Capture
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)Report Number: 7382
Published: 6/27/2007
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Shahram Orandi, Ross J. Micheals, Brian C. Stanton, Nien F. Zhang

Usability Testing of Ten-Print Fingerprint Capture
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Report Number: 7403
Published: 3/13/2007
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, Brian C. Stanton, Shahram Orandi, Ross J. Micheals, Nien F. Zhang

Does Habituation Affect Fingerprint Quality?
Published: 2/20/2007
Authors: Mary Frances Theofanos, R.J. Michaels, Jean C. Scholtz, Emile L. Morse, Peter May

A Taxonomy of Definitions for Usability Studies in Biometrics
Series: NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) Report Number: 7378
Published: 11/27/2006
Authors: Ross J. Micheals, Brian C. Stanton, Mary Frances Theofanos, Shahram Orandi

Resources

• NIST Fingerprint Home Page
• Department of Homeland Security
• The Biometrics Consortium
• INCITS Technical Committee M1 - Biometrics
• The Usability Professional Association
• Multimodal Biometric Application Resource Kit