Rasool Forouzesh's blog

Identity Verification (1:1 or "One-to-One") refers to a positive ID of specific Identity i.e. during the verification process, the user requires providing a unique user ID (e.g. name) and biometric sample. The matching algorithm will compare this biometric template (generated by the sample) with the one it has on records (created during the initial enrollment). The result is either "Match" or "No-Match". Due to the relative simplicity of this process, the biometric template can be created using a relatively smaller size reader, and the results will be provided relatively fast.



Identification (1:N or "One-to-Many") refers to a positive ID of Identity within a predefined identities group i.e. during the Identification process, the user is NOT require to provide a unique user ID, but to provide a biometric sample. The Identification matching algorithm will compare this biometric template (generated by the sample) using a smart algorithm, with each one of the records on file. The result is a positive ID of specific Identity given by its unique User ID (e.g. Name). Due to the complexity of this process, the recommended biometric reader size is generally bigger (in order to capture more information during the biometric sample), and generally this process is slower than the verification one. Rule of thumb - up to 1:100 the Identification process is considered being One-to-few and can be performed using smaller readers (hence, cheaper ones)

source: http://www.zvetcobiometrics.com/Support/biometrics_101/verification_identification.html