British scientists looking to the nose for biometrics’ future
04 March, 2010
category: Biometrics
Following a study, a group of British scientists have announced they believe nose recognition may be a means of biometric identification more effective than other existing modes, according to a Sky News article.
The leaders of the study, Adrian Evans and Adrian Moorhouse, used a unique photographic system called PhotoFace that takes multiple pictures of a face utilizing different flash locations and the resulting shadow to create a three dimensional model.
The authentication of an individual by their nose was broken down into six types of noses, Roman, Greek, Nubian, Hawk, Snub and Turn-up, and utilized three different parts of the nose, the ridge profile, the tip and the nasion. Through this technique, the researchers reported higher accuracy numbers than other biometric systems as well as maintaining that the nose is more easily scanned and harder to be obscured.
Despite the promising results, Evans has admitted that they are still relatively early in the technologies development. Future plans for more testing including larger sample groups, how ageing affects accuracy, if the technology can distinguish between relatives and looking into other potential applications for the technology.
Read the full story here.