An open system specification for use in biometric security and authentication technologies. BioAPI supports a wide range of biometric technology, from handheld devices to large-scale networks, and applications include fingerprint identification, facial recognition, speaker verification, dynamic signatures, and hand geometry. BioAPI was developed for the BioAPI Consortium, a group of organizations with ties to biometrics. BioAPI incorporates compatibility with existing biometric standards such as HA-API, which allows applications to operate BioAPI-compliant technologies without modification.