A Multi-modal Biometric Fusion Implementation for ABC Systems

In this paper, we introduce a multi-modal approach for traveller biometric identity verification, in the context of the Spanish Automated Border Control (ABC) implementation. An ABC is an automated system which reads and authenticates the electronic travel document, verifies the identity of the document holder, performs background checks and resolves the eligibility for border crossing. This paper focuses on the second stage of the automated process, the identity verification, based on the biometric data available in the electronic travel document. According to the nature of the travel document, a standardized facial image (1st and 2nd generation electronic Passport, Spanish electronic ID card), two standardized fingerprint images (2nd generation electronic Passport) or fingerprint Match-on-Card features (Spanish electronic ID card) are available. While the facial image can be considered the de facto standard biometric modality for ABC systems, fingerprint availability allows for security enhancement and false rejection rates improvement.