USDOE Human Subjects Research Database, Fiscal Year 2001

Special Technologies Laboratory

Public Information Contact:

Dr. Michael Martinez
Special Technologies Laboratory
5520 Ekwill Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93117

Phone: 805 681 2421
Fax: 805 681 2498
E-mail: N/A

Institutional Review Board (IRB):

Human Subject Projects:

Number of Human Subjects projects reported: 1

STL-01-1310

"Hand Scanner"

Project Identifier: STL-01-1310

"Hand Scanner"

Principal Investigator: Dr. William Quam, Special Technologies Laboratory

Project started in: 2001

Project Funding Information:

Funding for Human Subjects Research:

DOE: Nonproliferation and National Security (NN)

$140,000.00 (Est.) for: Fiscal Year 2001
carry over to FY02 for funds not expended in FY01

Information on Use of Human Subjects:

This project does not involve the use of multiple protocols/subprojects.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review:
Type of Review: Full Board
Approving Institution: Bechtel Nevada
Most recent approval: 04/23/01

Number of human subjects who participated in this project/protocol/subproject in the last reporting period: 0
Reporting period for number of human subjects: Fiscal Year 2001

Type(s) of Human Subjects Involvement:

Other types of human subjects involvement. Explanation:

Project involves use of Infra Red optical irradiation of human hands to examine biometric capabilites when hands are double gloved.

(a. Objectives, b. Methodology, c. Ionizing Radiation, Radioactive Substances, or Chemical Substances to which human subjects are exposed, d. Involvement of Human Subjects [d.1. procedures used, d.2. risks if any])

OBJECTIVE DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY

This project examines the biometric capabilities of IR irradiation (approximately 950 nm)as an imaging technique for human hands.

The hands will be double gloved with an inner plastic glove and an outer cotton glove.

The purpose of the project is determination of feasibility of hand imaging of sufficient quality to permit identification of a hand and the association with an individual for access control.

METHODOLOGY

An IR source, nominally an IR LED, will be used to mechanically scan the fingers of a human hand. A sensitive IR receiver will be mechanically linked to the IR source and will detect transmitted IR. The transmitted signal will be used to construct an image of the hand, in particular the finger lengths, that can then be used for biometric testing.

A simple mechanical scanner has been constructed. The human hand will be supported within this scanner and will not be moved during the projected 1 to 10 second scan time. An IR source and detector have been constructed and tested in FY01.

HUMAN EXPOSURE

We expect no exposure to ionizing radiation, radioactive substances, chemical substances, or biological materials in this project. The human exposure will be limited to IR photons of approximately 950 nm.

INVOLVMENT OF HUMAN SUBJECTS

1. We expect to begin human subject testing, limited to hands, early in FY02. The hand will be placed in a light shielded box containing the scanning device. The transmitted IR signal will be collected by a computer and used to create and image of the hand.

2. The risks involved will be limited to exposure to the IR photons. We have designed and installed light shields that will prevent light leakage from the scanner. Initial testing will be restricted to low light levels, ramping up to useful levels as we gain experience with the equipment. Suitable IR goggles are available and will be used by all personnel.

3. A consent form has been written and approved by our IRB.