Year
1997
Abstract
For over fifteen years Sandia National Laboratories has been involved in laboratory testing of biometric identification devices. Tests were conducted to verify manufacturer’s performance claims, to determine strengths/weaknesses of devices, and to determine devices that meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s needs. However, during recent field installation, significantly different performance was observed than was predicted by laboratory tests. Although most people using the device believed it operated adequately, the performance observed was over an order of magnitude worse than predicted. The search for reasons behind this gap between the predicted and the actual performance has revealed many possible contributing factors. As engineers, the most valuable lesson to be learned from this experience is the value of scientists and engineers with 1) common sense, 2) knowledge of human behavior, 3) the ability to observe the real world, and 4) the capability to realize the significant differences between controlled experiments and actual installations.