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Fingerprints The use of biometrics -- identifying people on the basis of physical characteristics -- was once used mainly for law enforcement purposes. Now, it is becoming more common to identify everyday Americans. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports on a Pennsylvania school district that uses fingerprint technology to identify schoolchildren in the lunchroom.

Fingerprints

Heard on All Things Considered

Fingerprints

Audio will be available later today.

The use of biometrics — identifying people on the basis of physical characteristics — was once used mainly for law enforcement purposes. Now, it is becoming more common to identify everyday Americans. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports on a Pennsylvania school district that uses fingerprint technology to identify schoolchildren in the lunchroom.