Voice Biometrics Basics: Voiceprints

A voiceprint is a mathematical representation of the physical characteristics of a person’s vocal tract (shape and motion patterns). A voiceprint is not an audio recording of a person’s voice.

Components of a Vocal Tract

• Nasal cavity
• Palate
• Soft palate vellum
• Uvula
• Tonsils
• Tongue
• Pharynx
• Epiglottis
• Vocal cords (glottis)
• Larynx
• Esophagus
• Thyroid cartilage
• Hyoid
• Lower jaw
• Lips
• Teeth
• Alveolar ridge
• Upper gums (alveolus)

Voiceprints are unique to each person (similar to fingerprints). A person's identity can be verified by matching a “sample” voiceprint with a “base” voiceprint.