Abstract: A palm-positioning and system-actuating mechanism properly positions a person's palm in a palm-positioning area of an electronics module of an identification system and activates the means for storing in coded form the palm of a person or for comparing the person's palm with the stored coded palm for positive identification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing image details of an object to be recorded. The object, such as the palm of a hand, is bombarded by radiant energy from an ultraviolet light source in such a manner that the object absorbs the radiant energy and emits visible light in the form of fluorescence and phosphorescence. A camera optically scans the object and records image details that have become available due to the fluorescence and phosphorescence. The details of objects having rough or irregular surfaces may be further enhanced by disposing the ultraviolet light source at an angle with respect to the surface of the object so that portions thereof are shaded while other portions of the surface absorb the radiant energy and emit visible light. Appropriate filters may be provided to reduce the effects of extraneous light.