Abstract: The invention describes the first practical, cost effective, truly non-contact implementation of a subcutaneous vein pattern biometric sensor. A laser diode (LD) illuminates the hand in such a way that the pattern of reflected radiation, when viewed by a conventional vein pattern infrared imager, provides a direct measure of target range. Said target range measurement is used to create a visual or audio signal that instructs the individual being scanned to place the hand at precisely the optimum range, such that the vein pattern is in focus. Furthermore, a system and apparatus are described to direct the individual being scanned to move the hand to an optimal horizontal registration or position with respect to the infrared imager.