Michigan researchers: identity is more than skin deep

Those worrried that fingerprint biometrics can be overcome with latex cotlets should pay attention to this latest breakthrough from researchers at the University of Michigan. Recent studies suggest that diagnostic 3D ultrasound could be used for identification across a number of sectors, including security and medical care. For the study, 3D images were collected of the fingers of 20 volunteers. A group of four readers, including two musculoskeletal radiologists, then attempted to match the pairs based on anatomic and physiological features of the human finger. The radiologists proved 100 percent successful, and the average success of all four readers was 96 percent. There are other benefiits over fingerprints, too. “This study provides a way of assessing physiologic and cardiovascular status,” said researcher Ganash Narayanasamy, including “whether the person is alive or not, which is not known from just their external fingerprints.” According to Narayanasamy, the method could also be used in hospital settings, for patient identification and continuous physiologic monitoring.