Abstract: According to the invention, a system for identifying an individual and reading biometric information pertaining to the individual from an optical card is disclosed. The system includes an optical card drive and a biometric scanner that are both coupled to a data processor. The optical card includes biometric data of the individual. The biometric scanner reads the biometric information from the individual.

Abstract: A self contained system for identifying and storing information pertaining to an individual, the information including biometric information about the individual, the information being stored on an optical card. The system includes a read write system adapted for digitally reading from and writing to the digital card. A device for obtaining biometric data from an individual is also attached to the system. A data processing and storing system provided in communication with the read write device and the device for obtaining biometric data to compare data from the optical card and the data obtained from the device for obtaining biometric data, and then deliver data to the read write system for writing on the optical card.