oSIST prEN ISO/IEC 2382-37:2026

• Abstract:

  This document establishes a systematic description of the concepts in the field of biometrics pertaining to recognition of human beings. This document also reconciles variant terms in use in pre-existing International Standards on biometrics against the preferred terms, thereby clarifying the use of terms in this field.; This document does not cover concepts (represented by terms) from information technology, pattern recognition, biology, mathematics, etc. Biometrics uses such fields of knowledge as a basis.; In principle, mode-specific terms are outside of scope of this document.

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 22-Dec-2026
• ICS: 01.040.35 - Information technology (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 35.240.15 - Identification cards. Chip cards. Biometrics
• Technical Committee: ITC - Information technology
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 28-Oct-2026
• Due Date: 17-Mar-2027
• Ref Project: prEN ISO/IEC 2382-37 - Information technology - Vocabulary - Part 37: Biometrics (ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026)

• Revises: SIST EN ISO/IEC 2382-37:2024 - Information technology - Vocabulary - Part 37: Biometrics (ISO/IEC 2382-37:2022)
• Effective Date: 29-Jan-2025

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2026
Informacijska tehnologija - Slovar - 37. del: Biometrija (ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026)
Information technology - Vocabulary - Part 37: Biometrics (ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026)
Informationstechnik - Begriffe - Teil 37: Biometrie (ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026)
Technologies de l'information - Vocabulaire - Partie 37: Biométrie (ISO/IEC DIS 2382-
37:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO/IEC 2382-37
ICS:
01.040.35 Informacijska tehnologija. Information technology
(Slovarji) (Vocabularies)
35.240.15 Identifikacijske kartice. Čipne Identification cards. Chip
kartice. Biometrija cards. Biometrics
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/IEC
DIS
2382-37
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37
Information technology —
Secretariat: ANSI
Vocabulary —
Voting begins on:
Part 37: 2026-10-09
Biometrics
Voting terminates on:
2027-01-01
Technologies de l'information — Vocabulaire —
Partie 37: Biométrie
ICS: 01.040.35; 35.240.15
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
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Reference number
© ISO/IEC 2026
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
DRAFT
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
International
Standard
ISO/IEC
DIS
2382-37
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37
Information technology —
Secretariat: ANSI
Vocabulary —
Voting begins on:
Part 37:
Biometrics
Voting terminates on:
Technologies de l'information — Vocabulaire —
Partie 37: Biométrie
ICS: 01.040.35; 35.240.15
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO/IEC 2026
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
Phone: [phone]
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
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Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
© ISO/IEC 2026
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ii
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
Contents
Foreword . IV
INTRODUCTION . V
1 SCOPE . 1
2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES . 1
3 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS . 1
3.1 Terms related to general concept terms . 1
3.2 Terms related to biometric systems . 3
3.3 Terms related to data in biometric systems . 6
3.4 Terms related to devices . 13
3.5 Terms related to functioning . 14
3.6 Terms related to interaction . 17
3.7 Terms related to personnel . 25
3.8 Terms related to application . 29
3.9 Terms related to performance . 30
3.10 Mode Specific Terms . 37
BIBLIOGRAPHY . 40
ALPHABETICAL INDEX . 41

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
iii
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2. www.iso.org/directives
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any
patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on
the ISO list of patent declarations received. www.iso.org/patents
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers
to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC JTC1, Information Technology, Subcommittee
SC37, Biometrics. ISO/IEC2382 will consist of some 30 parts under the general title Information
Technology - Vocabulary.
This edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO/IEC 2382-37:2022). Minor changes to terms
published have been made to some terms of the previous edition and 51 new terms have been added.
Editors notes (to be removed on publication):
terms that are new or have been modified since the publication of ISO/IEC 2382-37:2022 are identified
by a green term number.
Some links (37.*.*) will need to be reestablished as a part of the DIS development
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
iv
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
Introduction
The main purpose of this document is to provide a systematic description of the concepts in the subject
field of biometrics and to clarify the use of the terms in this subject field. The subject field of biometrics
is broken down into sub-fields.
This document is addressed to biometrics standardizers and to users of these standards.
The terms defined in this document are to be understood within the context of the subject field of
biometrics. When terms exist in various subject fields, the relevant subject field is indicated in angle
brackets.
Words that are written in italics are defined in this document. Words that are written in upright font are
to be understood in their natural language sense. The authority for natural language use of terms in this
document is the Concise Oxford English Dictionary (COED), Thumb Index Edition (tenth edition, revised,
2002).
The numbering of all terms in this document begins with “37” to indicate the Subcommittee of Joint
Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1 that created the terms. This is consistent will all other parts of the
ISO/IEC 2382 series. The subsequent numerical heading for each entry within this document (37.xx)
represents the number of the highest-level category in the concept map in which the term primarily falls.
This is consistent with “Systematic Order” as described in ISO 10241-1:2011, 5.1.2, in which the heading
reflects the concept system. In the first edition of this document (ISO/IEC 2382-37:2012), the third
numerical designator (37.xx.yy) was also consistent with “Systematic Order”, moving from most general
to more specific terms within each highest-level category of the concept map. With the development of
revision of this document, the decision was made to append the new terms in each category such that the
numbering of the earlier terms inherited from the 2012 edition would not change. This implies that the
third numerical designator is now in “Mixed Order” as described in ISO 10241-1:2011, 5.1.3.
So, terms are added to this document in batches for each updated version. These terms are added in
alphabetical order. This ensures that the numbers allocated to a term remain the same and that they can
be referred to consistently.
The terms in this document are listed under a number of general headings.
The layout follows the directions given in ISO 10241:1992. Thus, the elements of an entry appear in the
following order:
• Entry number (mandatory)
• Preferred term (mandatory)
• Admitted term(s) (mandatory)
• Deprecated term(s)
• Definition (mandatory)
• Example(s)
• Note(s) to entry
The alphabetical index includes preferred and admitted terms.
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
v
DRAFT International Standard ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)

Information Technology – Vocabulary –
Part 37:
Biometrics
1 Scope
This document establishes a systematic description of the concepts in the field of biometrics pertaining
to recognition of human beings. This document also reconciles variant terms in use in pre-existing
International Standards on biometrics against the preferred terms, thereby clarifying the use of terms in
this field.
This document does not cover concepts (represented by terms) from information technology, pattern
recognition, biology, mathematics, etc. Biometrics uses such fields of knowledge as a basis.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1 Terms related to general concept terms
37.01.01
biometric (adj)
of or having to do with biometric recognition (37.01.03)
Note 1 to entry: The use of biometric as a noun, to mean for example, biometric characteristic (37.01.02),
is deprecated.
• EXAMPLE 1  Incorrect usage #1: ICAO resolved that face is the biometric most suited to the practicalities of
travel documents.
• EXAMPLE 2 Correct usage #1: ICAO resolved that face recognition is the biometric mode (37.02.05)
most suited to the practicalities of travel documents.
th
Note 2 to entry: Since the late 19 Century the terms biometrics and biometry have been used with the general
meaning of counting, measuring and statistical analysis of any kind of data in the biological sciences including the
relevant medical sciences.
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
37.01.02
biometric characteristic
DEPRECATED biometric, noun
biological and behavioural characteristic of an individual from which distinguishing, repeatable biometric
features (37.03.11) can be extracted for the purpose of biometric recognition (37.01.03)
EXAMPLE Examples of biometric characteristics are: friction ridge structure, face topography, facial skin texture,
hand topography, finger topography, iris structure, vein structure of the palm, ridge structure of the palm, retinal
pattern, handwritten signature dynamics, etc.
Note 1 to entry: the term trait is sometimes used in the literature
37.01.03
biometric recognition
biometrics
automated recognition of individuals based on their biological and behavioural characteristics
Note 1 to entry: In the field of biometrics (as defined in this document), “Individual" is restricted in scope to refer
only to humans.
Note 2 to entry: The general meaning of biometrics encompasses counting, measuring and statistical analysis of
any kind of data in the biological sciences including the relevant medical sciences.
Note 3 to entry: Biometric recognition encompasses biometric verification (37.08.03) and biometric identification
(37.08.02).
Note 4 to entry: Automated recognition implies that a machine based system is used for the recognition either for
the full process or assisted by a human being.
Note 5 to entry: Behavioural and biological characteristics cannot be completely separated which is why the
definition uses ‘and ’instead of ‘and/or’. For example, a fingerprint image results from the biological characteristics
of the finger ridge patterns and the behavioural act of presenting the finger.
Note 6 to entry: Use of 'authentication' as a synonym for “biometric verification (37.08.03) or biometric
identification (37.08.02)” is deprecated; the term biometric recognition is preferred.
Note 7 to entry: Biometric recognition can involve components and subsystems that are not temporally or
geographically co-located.
37.01.04
biometric person of interest
individual with a biometric enrolment data record (37.03.10) in a biometric surveillance (37.01.05) system
37.01.05
biometric surveillance
act of watching for an individual(s) using a biometric system (37.02.03) for the purposes of recognition
Note 1 to entry: Watching may be for the purpose of tracking, identification or verification of claims.
37.01.06
biometric capture at a distance
biometric capture (37.06.03) with a significant separation between the biometric capture subject (37.07.03)
and biometric capture subsystem (37.02.01)
Note 1 to entry: Biometric capture at a distance is not necessarily surveillance.
Note 2 to entry: Non-contact or touchless biometrics are not necessarily biometric capture at a distance.
Note 3 to entry: Capture may be controlled.
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
37.01.07
overt biometric capture
biometric recognition (37.01.03) that is obvious and where the possibility for biometric comparison is
apparent
37.01.08
contactless biometric capture (n)
touchless biometric capture (n)
method of capturing a finger / palm characteristic without physical contact between the biometric
characteristic and the biometric capture subsystem (37.02.01)
Note 1 to entry: May include contact with other body parts for positioning and steadying.
Note 2 to entry: Contactless capture may include verbal contact, instructions, interaction, etc. with the biometric
capture subject (37.07.03).
37.01.09
contactless fingerprint / palm print capture (n)
touchless fingerprint / palm print capture (n)
method of capturing a finger characteristic without physical contact between the finger characteristic
and the biometric capture subsystem (37.02.01)
Note 1 to Entry: May include contact with other body parts for positioning and steadying.
Note 2 to Entry: Contactless capture may include verbal contact, instructions, interaction, etc. with the biometric
capture subject (37.07.03).
37.01.10
covert biometric capture
biometric capture that hidden and does not attract attention
37.01.11
real-time biometric recognition
biometric recognition (37.01.03) where the biometric comparison decision (37.03.26) immediately follows
the biometric capture
37.01.12
remote biometric recognition
biometric recognition (37.01.03) with the comparison decision not in direct proximity to the biometric
capture subsystem (37.02.01)
Note 1 to entry: may be supervised or unsupervised.
3.2 Terms related to biometric systems
37.02.01
biometric capture subsystem
biometric capture devices (37.04.01) and any sub-processes required to execute a biometric capture
process (37.05.02)
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
Note 1 to entry: In some biometric systems (37.02.03), converting a signal from a biometric characteristic (37.01.02)
to a captured biometric sample (37.03.25) can include multiple components such as a camera, photographic paper,
printer, digital scanner, ink and paper.
Note 2 to entry: A biometric capture subsystem (37.02.01) can consist of only a single biometric capture device
(37.04.01).
37.02.02
biometric identification system
system that aims to perform biometric identification (37.08.02)
37.02.03
biometric system
system for the purpose of the biometric recognition (37.01.03) of individuals based on their behavioural
and biological characteristics
Note 1 to entry: A biometric system (37.02.03) will contain both biometric (37.01.01) and non-biometric components.
37.02.04
biometric verification system
system that aims to perform biometric verification (37.08.03)
37.02.05
mode
DEPRECATED biometric, noun
combination of a biometric characteristic (37.01.02) type, a sensor type and a processing method
Note 1 to entry: The processing algorithm may contain multiple methods, details of which are not necessarily
externally apparent. Thus, a biometric system (37.02.03) is considered as using one processing method, until it is
otherwise specified.
Note 2 to entry: Determining what constitutes a single type of sensor, processing method or biometric
characteristic (37.01.02) will depend on convention. For example, current convention is that images of ridge
patterns from both thumbs and fingers represent a single biometric characteristic type, i.e. fingerprints. With
respect to sensors, infrared and optical bandwidth sensors are considered different types, but optical bandwidth
sensors are considered a single type despite imaging red, green and blue bandwidths.
37.02.06
multi-modal
multiple in at least two out of three constituents of a mode (37.02.05) in a single biometric system
(37.02.03)
Note 1 to entry: Multiple implies difference in type.
37.02.07
system participation ratio
proportion of individuals eligible to use the system who do use the system
Note 1 to entry: Enrolled (37.05.08) individuals are a subset of eligible individuals.
Note 2 to entry: This term is used to express the extent of take-up and use of a biometric system (37.02.03).
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
37.02.08
biometric fusion
combination of biometric (37.01.01) information from different sources to inform a comparison decision
(37.03.26) within a biometric transaction (37.06.45)
Note 1 to entry: The sources might be at the signal, feature, score, rank or decision level.
37.02.09
monobiometric system
biometric system (37.02.03) of which all of the following components are required to be singular:
biometric capture subsystem (37.02.01), biometric instance (37.03.46), biometric characteristic (37.01.02)
type, biometric algorithm (37.04.02) and biometric presentation (37.06.07)
Note 1 to entry: This term is needed for completeness. It may well be the case that few systems are monobiometric,
as multiple instances and multipresentations are normally allowed.
37.02.10
multibiometric system
biometric system (37.02.03) of which at least one of the following components are required to be multiple:
biometric capture subsystem (37.02.01), biometric instance (37.03.46), biometric characteristic (37.01.02)
type, biometric algorithm (37.04.02) and biometric presentation (37.06.07)
37.02.11
multipresentation system
system that accepts multiple interactions of the biometric capture subject (37.07.03) with the biometric
capture subsystem (37.02.01) to obtain signals from a biometric characteristic (37.01.02) needed for a
single transaction (37.06.45)
Note 1 to entry: The interaction is seen from the perspective of the biometric capture subject.
37.02.12
multibiometric, adj
based on multiple types of biometric characteristics (37.01.02)
EXAMPLE A biometric system (37.02.03) that is based on two or more biometric characteristic types such as two
or more of face, voice, finger, palm, iris, retina, hand geometry, signature/sign, keystroke, lip movement, gait, vein,
DNA, ear, foot, scent, etc.
37.02.13
biometric comparison subsystem
biometric comparator
biometric subsystem that compares biometric probes to biometric references and returns comparison
scores
Note 1 to entry: The subsystem operates on a platform – hardware and operating system.
37.02.14
biometric system policy
procedures and rules about who, when, where and how a biometric system (37.02.03) is intended to be
used and operated
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
Note 1 to entry: biometric system policies include procedures and rules to be followed by presentation subjects,
operators and administrators.
Note 2 to entry: policies and procedures may address biometric (37.01.01) and non-biometric factors.
3.3 Terms related to data in biometric systems
37.03.01: term deleted
37.03.02
biometric application database
database of biometric data (37.03.06) and associated metadata developed from and supporting the
operation of a biometric (37.01.01) application
Note 1 to entry: The metadata may include transaction history; authorizations (e.g. age) of biometric data subject
(37.07.05); and archived biometric data.
Note 2 to entry: The term application includes the policies that govern the operation of the system and evidence of
that operation.
37.03.03
biometric application decision
decision to perform an action at the application level based on the results of a biometric (37.01.01) process
Note 1 to entry: The biometric application decision may include more than a comparison (37.05.07) process. For
example, a biometric capture process (37.05.02) may show that there are no characteristics to capture, and a decision
can be made on this before any biometric characteristics (37.01.02) are compared.
Note 2 to entry: Biometric application decisions can be made on the basis of complex policies involving both
biometric and non-biometric data.
37.03.04
biometric candidate
biometric reference identifier (37.03.19) of a biometric reference (37.03.16) in the biometric reference
database (37.03.17) determined to be sufficiently similar to the biometric probe (37.03.14) to warrant
further analysis
Note 1 to entry: Identification systems can be configured to return a fixed number of the most similar candidates
and, in other cases, the system could be configured to return candidates with biometric candidate scores (37.03.24)
that exceed a threshold (37.03.36).
37.03.05
biometric candidate list
set of zero, one or more biometric candidates (37.03.04) that may be intermediate or final
Note 1 to entry: The biometric candidate list can be tentative if it is to be reduced by further processing.
37.03.06
biometric data
biometric sample (37.03.21) or aggregation of biometric samples at any stage of processing
Note 1 to entry: Biometric data need not be attributable to a specific individual, e.g. Universal Background Models.
37.03.07
biometric database
database of a biometric data record(s) (37.03.08)
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
37.03.08
biometric data record
data record containing biometric data (37.03.06)
Note 1 to entry: A biometric data record may include non-biometric data.
37.03.09
biometric enrolment database
database of a biometric enrolment data record(s) (37.03.10)
Note 1 to entry: A database of biometric data (37.03.06) not attributable to biometric data subjects (37.07.05) is a
biometric database (37.03.07), but not a biometric enrolment database, e.g. data for Universal Background Models.
Note 2 to entry: The biometric enrolment database can optionally contain the biometric reference database
(37.03.17). Separation of the databases can be required due to security, privacy, legislation, architecture,
performance, etc.
Note 3 to entry: A single biometric reference (37.03.16) (e.g. a fingerprint on a storage card) can be considered as a
biometric enrolment database in some transactions (37.06.45).
37.03.10
biometric enrolment data record
data record attributed to a biometric data subject (37.07.05), containing non-biometric data and
associated with a biometric reference identifier(s) (37.03.19)
Note 1 to entry: Data can be updated after enrolment.
Note 2 to entry: The biometric enrolment data record will either contain a biometric reference data record(s)
(37.03.18) or pointer(s) to a biometric reference data record(s).
Note 3 to entry: The associated biometric reference (37.03.16) may be null (for example, the biometric enrollee
(37.07.06) lacks the biometric characteristic (37.01.02) or biometric capture process (37.05.02) is pending).
37.03.11
biometric feature
numbers or labels extracted from biometric samples (37.03.21) and used for comparison (37.05.07)
Note 1 to entry: The set of numbers or labels are the output of a completed biometric feature extraction (37.05.04).
Note 2 to entry: The use of this term should be consistent with its use by the pattern recognition and mathematics
communities.
Note 3 to entry: A biometric feature set can also be considered a processed biometric sample.
Note 4 to entry: Biometric features can be extracted from an intermediate biometric sample (37.03.30).
Note 5 to entry: Filters applied to biometric samples are not themselves biometric features. However, the output of
the filter applied to these samples can be. Therefore, eigenfaces are not biometric features, for example.
37.03.12
biometric identification decision
comparison decision (37.03.26) as to whether a biometric reference(s) (37.03.16) of a particular biometric
data subject (37.07.05) is in a biometric reference database (37.03.17)
Note 1 to entry: Return of a biometric candidate list (37.03.05) is not considered a biometric identification decision.
Note 2 to entry: A positive biometric identification (37.08.02) process is inferred from the output of a biometric
reference identifier (37.03.19).
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
37.03.13
biometric model
stored function generated from biometric data (37.03.06)
EXAMPLE: Examples of biometric models could be a Hidden Markov Model, Gaussian Mixture Model or an
Artificial Neural Network.
Note 1 to entry: In most occasions the biometric model is a stored function which is dependent on the biometric
data subject (37.07.05).
Note 2 to entry: The function may be determined through training.
Note 3 to entry: A biometric model may involve intermediate processing similar to biometric feature extraction
(37.05.04).
37.03.14
biometric probe
biometric query
biometric sample (37.03.21) or biometric feature (37.03.11) set input to a biometric algorithm (37.04.02)
for biometric comparison (37.05.07) to a biometric reference(s) (37.03.16)
Note 1 to entry: In some comparisons a biometric reference can potentially be used as the subject of the
comparison with other biometric references or incoming biometric samples used as the objects of the comparisons.
For example, in a duplicate enrolment check a biometric reference will be used as the subject for comparisons
against all other biometric references in the database.
Note 2 to entry: Typically in a biometric comparison process, incoming biometric samples serve as the subject of
comparisons against objects stored as biometric references in a database.
37.03.15
biometric property
descriptive attributes of the biometric data subject (37.07.05) estimated or derived from the biometric
sample (37.03.21) by automated means
EXAMPLE: Fingerprints can be classified by the biometric properties of ridge-flow, i.e. arch, whorl, and loop types.
Estimates of age or gender from face recognition would also be biometric properties.
37.03.16
biometric reference
one or more stored biometric samples (37.03.21), biometric templates (37.03.22) or biometric models
(37.03.13) attributed to a biometric data subject (37.07.05) and used as the object of biometric comparison
(37.05.07)
EXAMPLE Face image stored digitally on a passport; fingerprint minutiae template on a National ID card or
Gaussian Mixture Model for speaker recognition (37.10.11) in a database.
Note 1 to entry: A biometric reference (37.03.16) can be created with implicit or explicit use of auxiliary data, such
as Universal Background Models.
Note 2 to entry: The subject/object labelling in a comparison can be arbitrary. In some comparisons a biometric
reference can potentially be used as the subject of the comparison with other biometric references or incoming
samples and input to a biometric algorithm (37.04.02) for comparison. For example, in a duplicate enrolment check
a biometric reference will be used as the subject for comparison against all other biometric references in the
database.
37.03.17
biometric reference database
database of biometric reference data records (37.03.18)
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
Note 1 to entry: The biometric reference database may be a subset of the biometric enrolment database (37.03.09),
or it may be a separate database. Separation of the databases may be required due to security, privacy, legislation,
architecture, performance, etc.
37.03.18
biometric reference data record
indexed data record containing a biometric reference(s) (37.03.16)
Note 1 to entry: There is not necessarily a one-to-one correspondence between biometric reference data records
and biometric data subjects (37.07.05). For example, a single biometric data subject can have several reference data
records and in some applications a single biometric reference data record can be associated with multiple
enrolments of a biometric data subject.
37.03.19
biometric reference identifier
pointer to a biometric reference data record (37.03.18) in the biometric reference database (37.03.17)
37.03.20
biometric representation
biometric sample (37.03.21) or biometric feature (37.03.11) set
Note 1 to entry: This term is used in ISO/IEC 19794 and the ISO/IEC 39794 biometric data interchange format
standards for labelling a sub-record in a biometric data record (37.03.08).
37.03.21
biometric sample
analog or digital representation of biometric characteristics (37.01.02) prior to biometric feature
extraction (37.05.04)
EXAMPLE : A record containing the image of a finger is a biometric sample.
37.03.22
biometric template
reference biometric feature set
set of stored biometric features (37.03.11) comparable directly to probe biometric features
EXAMPLE A record containing a set of finger minutiae is a biometric template.
Note 1 to entry: A biometric reference (37.03.16) consisting of an image, or other captured biometric sample
(37.03.25), in its original, enhanced or compressed form, is not a biometric template.
Note 2 to entry: The biometric features are not considered to be a biometric template unless they are stored for
reference.
37.03.23
biometric verification decision
comparison decision (37.03.26) determining the validity of a biometric claim (37.06.04) in a verification
transaction (37.06.21)
37.03.24
biometric candidate score
comparison score (37.03.27) for a biometric candidate (37.03.04)
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
37.03.25
captured biometric sample
DEPRECATED raw biometric sample
biometric sample (37.03.21) resulting from a biometric capture process (37.05.02)
37.03.26
comparison decision
determination of whether the biometric probe(s) (37.03.14) and biometric reference(s) (37.03.16) have the
same biometric (37.01.01) source, based on a comparison score(s) (37.03.27), a decision policy(ies)
including a threshold (37.03.36), and possibly other inputs
Note 1 to entry: A match (37.03.31) is a positive comparison (37.05.07) decision. A non-match (37.03.33) is a negative
comparison decision. A decision of ‘undetermined ’can sometimes be given.
37.03.27
comparison score
DEPRECATED matching score
numerical value (or set of values) resulting from a comparison (37.05.07)
Note 1 to entry: Higher does not necessarily mean more similar.
37.03.28
dissimilarity score
distance score
comparison score (37.03.27) that decreases with similarity
Note 1 to entry: Unlike a distance score a dissimilarity score does not have to meet the mathematical definition of a
metric on a set.
37.03.29
fraudulent biometric enrolment data record
biometric enrolment data record (37.03.10) created or modified for the purpose of supporting wrongful
or criminal activity
Note 1 to entry: Records that are inadvertently erroneous or created for test purposes are not considered
fraudulent.
37.03.30
intermediate biometric sample
biometric sample (37.03.21) resulting from intermediate biometric sample processing (37.05.09)
EXAMPLE: Biometric samples that have been cropped, down-sampled, compressed, or enhanced are examples of
intermediate biometric samples.
37.03.31
match (n)
comparison decision (37.03.26) stating that the biometric probe(s) (37.03.14) and the biometric reference
(37.03.16) are from the same source
Note 1 to entry: Historically, the word match has been used as a verb to indicate the act of comparison (37.05.07)
and decision making. As ‘match ’is the decision coming out of the comparison process its use as a verb is deprecated
in favour of compare.
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
37.03.32
mated (adj)
based on a paired biometric probe (37.03.14) and biometric reference (37.03.16) that are from the same
biometric characteristic (37.01.02) of the same biometric data subject (37.07.05)
Note 1 to entry: While ‘match (37.03.31) ’is the result of a biometric comparison decision (37.03.26), ‘mated’ is a
statement, based on non-biometric information, concerning the origin of the source of the biometric probe and the
biometric reference.
37.03.33
non-match (n)
comparison decision (37.03.26) stating that the biometric probe(s) (37.03.14) and the biometric reference
(37.03.16) are not from the same source
37.03.34
non-mated (adj)
based on a paired biometric probe (37.03.14) and biometric reference (37.03.16) that are not from the
same biometric characteristic (37.01.02) of the same biometric data subject (37.07.05)
Note 1 to entry: While ‘non-match (37.03.33) ’is the result of a biometric comparison decision (37.03.26), ‘non-
mated ’is a statement, based on non-biometric information, concerning the origin of the source of the biometric
probe and the biometric reference.
37.03.35
similarity score
comparison score (37.03.27) that increases with similarity
37.03.36
threshold (n)
numerical value (or set of values) at which a decision boundary exists
37.03.37
unidentified biometric data
biometric data (37.03.06) whose biometric data subject (37.07.05) is currently unknown
37.03.40
enrolment eligibility ratio
proportion of enrolment applications that are deemed eligible by policy for enrolment
Note 1 to entry: The closer this ratio is to unity the more aligned the applicants are to the eligible population.
37.03.41
reference ageing
DEPRECATED template ageing
change in error rates with respect to a fixed reference caused by time-related changes in the biometric
characteristic (37.01.02)
Note 1 to entry: Error rates generally increase with the age of the reference.
Note 2 to entry: Reference ageing can include sample ageing, template ageing and model ageing.
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
37.03.42
acquired biometric sample
captured biometric sample (37.03.25) assessed as suitable for subsequent biometric feature extraction
(37.05.04) and comparison (37.05.07)
37.03.43
acquisition profile
list of attributes pertaining to the collection environment, the biometric capture subsystem (37.02.01), the
biometric data subject (37.07.05), subsequent processing and management of the data
Note 1 to entry: Acquisition profiles are dependent on the biometric mode (37.02.05)
37.03.44
biometric application conformance profile
listing of standards to be applied for a specific function or task
Note 1 to entry: Application profiles identify the use of particular options in base standards and provide a basis for
conformant applications and interoperability of systems.
37.03.45
biometric data breach
unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, transmission or processing of the biometric data (37.03.06)
of an individual
Note 1 to entry: This definition does not apply to collection and storage even if unauthorized.
Note 2 to entry: Authorization is a jurisdictional responsibility (e.g. a government or a data subject) and limited to
the purposes for which the data was collected.
37.03.46
biometric instance
occurrence of a biometric characteristic (37.01.02)
Note 1 to entry: A human hand typically has five instances of a fingerprint biometric characteristic.
Note 2 to entry: Multiple presentations of the same spoken or written phrase is a single instance.
37.03.47
multi-instance
requiring two or more instances of a biometric characteristic (37.01.02)
Note 1 to entry: The typical human hand contains more than one instance of a fingerprint biometric characteristic.
37.03.49
pseudonymized biometric data record
biometric data record (37.03.08) purposely dis-associated from non-biometric personally identifiable
information
Note 1 to entry: The biometric data (37.03.06) within the biometric data record ultimately remain attributable to an
individual.
Note 2 to entry: This definition is consistent with the term pseudonymization in the EU General Data Protection
Regulation 2016/679.
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
37.03.50 term deleted
37.03.51
biometric claim acceptance
biometric claim (37.06.04) assessed as correct
EXAMPLE: A biometric capture subject (37.07.03) makes the claim that their biometric reference (37.03.16) is
somewhere in the database. A biometric claim acceptance occurs if the reference is found
Note 1 to entry: The claim may be positive or negative and may or may not refer to a specific reference.
37.03.52
biometric claim rejection
biometric claim (37.06.04) assessed as incorrect
EXAMPLE: A biometric capture subject (37.07.03) makes the claim that their biometric reference (37.03.16) is
somewhere in the database. A biometric claim rejection occurs if the reference is not found.
Note 1 to entry: The claim may be positive or negative and may or may not refer to a specific reference.
37.03.53
bona-fide biometric sample
biometric sample (37.03.21) obtained from a bona fide presentation (37.06.36)
37.03.54
false biometric rejection
act of wrongly assessing a correct biometric claim (37.06.04) as incorrect
EXAMPLE: A biometric capture subject (37.07.03) correctly claims that their biometric reference (37.03.16) is
somewhere in the database. A false biometric rejection occurs if the reference is not reported to be found by the
system
Note 1 to entry: The correct claim may be positive or negative and may or may not refer to a specific reference.
37.03.55 term deleted
3.4 Terms related to devices
37.04.01
biometric capture device
device that collects a signal from a biometric characteristic (37.01.02) and converts it to a captured
biometric sample (37.03.25)
Note 1 to entry: A signal can be generated by the biometric characteristic or generated elsewhere and affected by
the biometric characteristic for example, face illuminated by incident light.
Note 2 to entry: A biometric capture device can be any piece of hardware (and supporting software and firmware).
Note 3 to entry: A biometric capture device may comprise components such as an illumination source, one or more
biometric sensors, etc.
37.04.02
biometric algorithm
instructions and rules for processing biometric signals and data
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC DIS 2382-37:2026(en)
Note 1 to entry: The complete processing of biometric signals and data may involve; signal detection, segmentation,
biometric feature extraction (37.05.04), quality assessment, biometric model (37.03.13) generation, biometric
template (37.03.22) generation, comparison (37.05.07), biometric comparison decision (37.03.26), compression,
decompression, etc.
3.5 Terms related to functioning
37.05.01
biometric acquisition process
biometric capture process (37.05.02) and additional processing to attempt to produce a suitable biometric
sample(s) (37.03.21) in accordance with the defined policy
Note 1 to entry: In addition to the biometric capture process,
...