Study: biometrics might not be beneficial. (Security Beat).

The Cato Institute, a libertarian think-tank based in Washington, D.C., has released a report highlighting the controversies associated with the wide-spread involuntary use of biometrics.

Biometrics are identification techniques based on physiological characteristics, such as fingerprints, hand geometry, retinal scans and voice authentication. In recent months, the government has considered issuing national identification cards with biometric identifiers. The Defense Department also has a biometrics office that has been testing off-the-shelf technologies for possible widespread use.

Benefits of biometrics technologies include identity theft prevention, quicker access to medical information and the location of lost children, according to Cato technology policy director Clyde Wayne Crews Jr. However, "the most pressing threat to liberty is an all-inclusive database mandated by government, corresponding to a national identification card with biometric identifiers," he said.

The report, "Human Bar Code: Monitoring Biometrics Technologies in a Free Society," says society might turn against the technology, because it is too intrusive. The report states that the government, if it installs national identification cards, would be violating the Fourth Amendment, which "rules out public surveillance systems to deliberately identify and track individuals without the authority of a court order," said Crews.