Undergraduate Thesis

Fingerprint scanners are the security systems of biometrics. This device is a security identification and authentication device. Such devices use automated methods of verifying or recognizing the identity of a living person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. These characteristics include fingerprints, facial images, iris, and voice recognition. This tool allows physical contact between the skin and the surface of the apparatus in which employees successively align their fingers on the same surface of the device. This research confirmed what kind of microorganisms are present and mostly colonized in the biometric scanners of a school campus located in Parañaque City which is regularly used by 390 employees. The collection of the specimens was performed by swabbing both biometric scanners on their parts three times at different times of the day and undergoing a culture test to know which is more colonized by microbes. Furthermore, the significance of these studies is in the transmission of microorganisms from these devices to human beings. This study proved that both biometric scanners are colonized by fungi such as penicillium, aspergillus, and fusarium with traces of rhodotorula. This research also shows a significant difference between fungi to parts which prove that their properties can contribute to the accumulation of microorganisms. These results suggest an additional study of other microorganisms that might be present as well and provide suggestions and recommendations for using touch-free biometric scanners to promote a much safer way for our faculty members and other employees of the institution.