Frequently Asked Questions: Biometrics Field Trial

What is biometrics?

Biometrics is the automated recognition of people based on their behavioural and biological characteristics.  Examples of biological biometrics include facial, fingerprint, iris, and vein recognition. An example of behavioural biometrics includes gait recognition, the way a person walks.

What are the main findings from the field trial?

The field trial shows that using a person’s photograph and fingerprints to confirm their identity during travel is very effective and helps to detect identity fraud. The use of fingerprints or facial recognition, either alone or together, can achieve highly accurate results in confirming who a person is.

Why did CIC carry out the field trial?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada, in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency, designed and implemented the field trial to explore how the use of a person’s photograph and fingerprints could improve visa operations and facilitate the entry of visitors into Canada.

What were the objectives of the field trial?

The field trial sought to measure the use of a person’s photograph and fingerprints as an identification and screening tool. The trial also sought to understand the impact of biometrics on client service for Canada’s visa and entry programs.

Who participated in the field trial?

The field trial was conducted from October 2006 to April 2007 and applied to temporary resident visa applicants, student and temporary worker applicants from Hong Kong and Seattle who entered Canada at either the Vancouver International Airport or the Douglas/Pacific Highway Ports of Entry. Biometric data already collected from Refugee claimants processed at the Etobicoke refugee intake centre were also part of the field trial.

Fingerprints and photographs were collected from over 18,000 participants.

What did CIC do with the information that was collected now that the field trial is over?

Privacy protection was an important consideration in the design and implementation of the field trial. All biometric data collected during the field trial has been destroyed.

What are other countries doing in the area of biometrics and migration?

Countries within the European Union, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States are also testing or using biometrics to enhance the integrity of their border control systems.