A method for verifying the identity of a person comprises providing a plurality of pressure transducers and deriving a key from pressures measured by the pressure transducers when a person presses a hand (or other body part) against the pressure transducers. The key can be compared to a previously stored reference key. Apparatus for verifying the identity of a person may have an array of pressure transducers coupled to a controller. The controller produces the key and compares it to a reference key.