an apparatus for providing secure and unique identification of individuals includes a device for electromagnetically recording and storing data indicative of a specific individual . the device receives and stores data in various fields . a system for use in tracking and identifying individuals includes an electromagnetic identification device that has a plurality of data fields , each being adapted to receive identifying signals ; a writer for encoding the signals into the appropriate data fields ; a controller for receiving signals uniquely identifying an individual and storing the signals in a master database ; and a reader adapted to interrogate the unique individual identification signals stored on the electromagnetic identification apparatus and for comparing corresponding individual identification signals with signals received from the electromagnetic identification apparatus and generating an alarm signal if a discrepancy exists .