How many primary uses for biometrics are identified?

In the context of biometric systems, there are typically two primary uses identified: identification and verification.

Identification refers to the process of determining who an individual is by comparing their biometric data against a database of stored templates. This use case is about matching a person to a set of stored identities, which can often involve a larger population.

Verification, on the other hand, is about confirming the identity of a person based on their biometric data against a single stored template, such as when a user scans their fingerprint on a device to unlock it. This use case focuses on one-to-one matching to verify that the person presenting the biometric is indeed who they claim to be.

Understanding these two primary uses is essential for comprehending how biometrics are applied in physical security and the different contexts in which they are utilized.