Test security, and in particular identity verification, has aways been at the forefront of the minds of those delivering assessments, whether computer based or pen and paper. Ensuring the correct person is taking the test is important for many reasons whether it is for the integrity of the programme, the reputation of the industry or in some cases a matter of public safety.
There have always been concerns about biometric capture - while the use of a biometric technology is not an invasion of privacy, in some cases the way the digital data is produced, stored, compared and possibly linked to other information about the individual, may raise concerns.
We have seen the types of technology utilised over the last 15-20 years become more sophisticated and arguably more secure - the ‘Evolution of Biometrics’.
(Digital) Signature: this method of verifying a candidate’s identity is still the most widely used form. A simple check of a person’s signature against their bank card or an alternative form of agreed documentation allows the invigilator to be confident that the person is who they say they are. Digital signature capture can allow for realtime checks against specimen signatures already stored on the system meaning a candidate returning to the test centre can have their signature automatically verified by the system using comparison software. This method of verification is low cost, even the digital solution, and is effective but as with most things cannot be 100% fail-safe, for example, a proxy-tester (somebody taking the test on behalf of somebody else) might have a fake bank card with that signature on.
Digital Photograph: a photograph taken at registration can be used by the test centre staff to verify the identity of the candidate when they arrive at a test centre. If a photograph is not taken at the registration stage the process of taking one and storing it against the candidate’s record can also prove to be useful later on should that person return for a resit. In addition to the manual check by the test centre personnel there are sophisticated facial recognition applications available that measure between certain facial features and compares it to a photograph on a piece of ID - a passport photo for example. Again, not a hugely expensive solution; usually just a webcam and the necessary software required, but effective.
Fingerprint: electronic fingerprint scanning was once deemed the most secure means of verifying the identity of a candidate but it had it’s restrictions. Firstly it only really became useful when a candidate returned to a test centre as it is unlikely a sample print would be available for comparison in advance. And secondly it roused suspicion in candidates who did not want their fingerprints recorded - the connotations around what was believed to be the primary means of identifying criminals was unsettling and a few people refused to use it. Where the technology did prove useful, however, was identifying cases of large scale proxy-testing where somebody was taking multiple exams for other people, usually for money. For this reason it is still a widely used technology.
Iris: The iris pattern is virtually unique to each person and is therefore a great way of identifying a candidate, however, like most of the biometric technology it depends on already having the image on file to compare against. This means it is most useful for returning candidates and highlighting cases of mass proxy-testing. Iris scanning has not been widely adopted, mainly because of people’s anxiety about the technology - having your eye scanned may be safe but do test sponsors really want to risk legal action for claims of eye strain, headaches or worse. These types of complaints were likely to happen, especially if a candidate failed the exam, co-incidence?!
Palm Vein: Palm Vein scanning combines the technology we’ve seen already. Your hand is placed on a console, a light is shone through your hand and the veins are highlighted and scanned. The patterns of the veins in your hand are considered to be more unique than your fingerprint or the iris. Again, software allows real time checking against the image stored in the database allowing a fast and effective check of the candidate’s identity. Like the technologies before, a common theme arises in that it is most effective for candidates taking a resit where a scan of their hand has already been captured and it is an extremely useful tool to identify instances of large scale fraud. Palm vein scanning is also considered more acceptable than fingerprint scanning or iris scanning as it is deemed less intrusive, or potentially harmful, and in fact the feedback received shows that candidates consider it a novelty and are happy to participate.
So what next: as we know, technology moves faster than most of us can keep up with so what is the next advancement in identity verification? DNA capture maybe? It sounds a bit science fiction but there is nothing more unique than a person’s DNA and with an already growing database of DNA, police records for example, it could be feasible.
Taking it one step further, will there ever be a time where every individual’s DNA is recorded, perhaps at birth, and becomes their life long ‘ID card’? It’s something that has already been discussed by governments across the world but has, unsurprisingly, encountered serious opposition. There is no doubt it would solve the identity verification issues faced by the assessment world but it is perhaps a step too far, even for a tech supporter!
