Computational methods for determining individuality

Abstract

Individuality is the state or quality of being an individual. We establish a computational methodology to determine whether a particular modality of data is sufficient to establish the individuality of every individual or even a demographic group. To test the individuality, generative models are given or learned to represent the distribution of certain characteristics such as birthday, human heights and fingerprints. Given the individuality assessments of different characteristic, the models based on multiple characteristics are proven to get strengthen individuality. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.