JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Image files are data-rich, often with metadata containing (or linked to) both personal and sensitive data. When sharing these data for research, all data that can be used to directly- or indirectly-link the shared dataset to the participant need to be carefully removed. However, in some cases the information that can link the participant to the data is not simply accompanying the data as metadata; It is (part of) the data.

Objective:

To assess the capability of a high-resolution volumetric imaging technique such as microfocus Computed Tomography (μCT) or High Resolution peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (HRpQCT) to resolve “sensitive” biometric information, such as the friction ridge patterns (fingerprint), when used to image human hands.

Methods:

Cadaveric human right hand imaged using high-resolution X-ray microfocus CT system at the 3D X-ray histology laboratory, University of Southampton, UK using an isotropic voxel (edge) size of 72 μm. Friction ridge patterns of the index and thumb fingers were extracted using basic processing in Fiji/ImageJ and volume data were rendered in 3D to demonstrate the level of detail such techniques are capable of visualising.

Results:

HR X-ray CT imaging was sufficient in clearly resolving the friction ridges on the fingertips of human hands. High resolution volume data of human hands can be used to visualise these patterns and extract the information “encoded” on them.

Conclusions:

Datasets containing high-resolution CT images of the human hands should be considered “sensitive” and thus handled and shared with appropriate care.