Bet it's not encrypted...

Wed Feb 23 05:50:30 PST 1994

[The following was snipped from EDUPAGE, the online summary service.  Anyone
have access to more information?  --AW]

AND OPTICAL FINGERPRINTS. The National Registry uses an optical scanning
technology to create and compare digital maps of the finger surface. The
map can be converted to a modified bar code for inclusion on a wallet ID
card. The information can also be encoded on circuitry inside a credit or
debit card. (Tampa Tribune 2/20/94 B&F1)