According to Tom Ridge, the outgoing Homeland Security Secretary, fingerprints should be included on all US passports. Ridge says this is only fair given that the US is asking the rest of the world for passports with fingerprints.
Biometric finger scans of all 10 fingers could be used so U.S. travelers could be identified by Customs inspectors quickly. Brian Roehrkasse, Homeland Security spokesman, says the department does not have such a plan in the works.
Ridge is leaving his post on February 1st. The government is debating the fingerprint issue because of privacy concerns. Fingerprints could be placed in the new passport microchips that will have one's name, birth date and photo stored.
