These values should be viewed with some caution. Several groups are working on filling this void. Time will tell which group will develop tests that adequately reflect the accuracy and performance of specific biometric devices, and gain the trust and confidence of biometric manufacturers and purchasers. Proper placement of a finger on a fingerprint reader is a very easy thing to do. Fingers on both hands can be registered, so that an injury to one finger or hand does not prevent identity verification.
Fingerprint readers are among the lowest cost biometric devices.
One could argue that voice or speaker recognition is the least expensive biometric, because most of the hardware required is already a part of the typical personal computer. Unfortunately, when speaker recognition is configured to handle voice variations caused by colds, congestion, and even emotions, it becomes vulnerable to intrusion via mimicry or recordings. Speaker recognition can have desirable ease of use characteristics, but is most applicable as a companion to other biometric technologies. Most fingerprint readers available today are based on optical technologies and use digital-optical sensors, similar to electronics found in video cameras. They are relatively small, inexpensive devices that are easily connected to most personal computers.