What unique feature does retinal pattern recognition utilize for identification?

Retinal pattern recognition is a method of biometric identification that focuses on the unique patterns of blood vessels, or veins, located beneath the surface of the retina in the eye. This feature is highly distinctive across individuals, making it a reliable biometric trait for identification purposes.

The nature of the retinal patterns is such that they remain stable over time, meaning that they do not change with age or other external factors, enhancing their effectiveness in secure identification. The analysis of these vein patterns involves imaging techniques that capture the intricacies of the retinal network, allowing for precise identification that is difficult to replicate or forge.

This technology stands apart from other biometric methods that rely on physical characteristics like fingerprints or hand geometry, as it does not involve externally available features but rather focuses on unique internal structures that are inherently tied to an individual's biology.