Biometric technologies

Algeria delays launch of biometric passports
Trial runs of the new documents began in August 2009 in the capital city, and all citizens who hold an Algerian passport will have to switch to the biometric version by 2015
- Read more
DHS funds development of a potable DNA-identification kit
A Virginia firm awarded DHS grant develop a briefcase-size biometrics device that can process DNA samples and determine identity or kinship with an accuracy of 99.99 percent, in under 45 minutes, and at a cost of less than $50
- Read more

Vermont recalls new biometric licenses
Some of Vermont’s biometric driver licenses were recalled after flaw is found
- Read more
U.K. Post Office will do biometric enrollment for foreign nationals
The U.K. Post Office has volunteered seventeen offices to collect dabs on a trial basis, with tests to start next week; so far the Identity and Passport Service has issued 90,000 cards mostly to students and people renewing marriage visas. This beats its previous target of 75,000 cards by November 2009
- Read more

U.K.'s ubiquitous camera network to be made smarter
U.K. researchers develop behavioral recognition software which will focus CCTVs in public places — and on public transportation — on people behaving in a suspicious or odd manner; developers say their software would have spotted a man carrying a samurai sword to a bus in Leeds — which he used to attack the bus driver
- Read more
Biometric surveillance checkpoint technology would notice the imperceptible
Draper Laboratory and collaborators develop technology which will home in on irregular physiological and behavioral biometrics of the individual being screened, such as heart rate, blink rate, and even fidgeting
- Read more

They identify horses, don't they?
Sarnoff chosen by Global Animal Management to develop the first portable equine iris capture and identification system
- Read more
Voice biometrics have not yet caught on in the United States
Canada and Australia are further along than the United States in this regard, mostly because of U.S. critics spreading unnecessary fear and doubt about the technology
- Read more

Worries about Iraq's biometric database
The U.S. biometric database in Iraq, now containing identification information on more than 2.5 million Iraqis, has been helpful to U.S. troops in identifying the bad guys and thwarting acts of terror; as the U.S. forces prepare to leave Iraq, worries grow that the same database may be used for monitoring critics of the regime and for political repression
- Read more
U.K. to share fingerprints with Canada, Australia
U.K., Canada, and Australia have begun to implement the fingerprint data sharing among g them, aiming to catch criminals and better evaluate the cases of asylum seekers; U.S., New Zealand will soon join
- Read more

Honolulu airport gets faster screening
Honolulu airport is one of thirteen U.S. airports that will use a new screening process beginning 24 August; the Global Entry pilot program, intended to streamline the customs and security process for “trusted” air travelers
- Read more
Australian, Kiwi passengers to use electronic passport control
New electronic passport control for Australians and New Zealanders will allow bypassing queues for baggage screening from the end of this year
- Read more

The company: Nucleix fighting biological identity theft
Its assay technology is in advanced stages of development. Several patents have already been granted; CEO Elon Ganor made his name mainly at VocalTec, a company that pioneered telephony over Internet
- Read more
The technology: Israeli scientists find way to combat forged DNA
Forensic DNA profiling is today one of the most powerful tools applied on crime scenes, and is often used to convict or acquit suspects in rape and murder cases
- Read more
Police to use DNA "mugshots" as a predictive tool to narrow search
Scientist say that rather than simply try to match DNA to individuals already in their database, DNA should be used to suggest what a suspect might look like
- Read more

More headlines