What term refers to the comparison of a physical or behavioral attribute against a stored sample in a database?

The correct term for the comparison of a physical or behavioral attribute against a stored sample in a database is "biometric." Biometrics refers specifically to the measurement and statistical analysis of people's unique physical and behavioral characteristics. This can include traits such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris patterns, or voice recognition.

When a biometric system captures a sample from an individual, it then compares this sample to a database of enrolled patterns to either authenticate (confirm) or identify (recognize) the individual. It is a process rooted in the fundamental definition of biometrics, which is the use of biological data for identification purposes.

While terms like authentication, identification, and verification are related to the broader context of access control, they do not specifically define the act of comparing physical or behavioral traits against stored data in the way that "biometric" does. Authentication, for example, refers to confirming the identity of a user through various means, and identification involves recognizing or establishing who a user is based on their predefined attributes. However, the act of comparison itself is most accurately described as part of the biometric process.