Photos: Nose scanners - the new face of biometrics?

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The experimental system that could help blow away ID fraud and sniff out criminals...

We've all heard of iris and fingerprint scans but when it comes to verifying an individual's identity, scientists at the University of Bath believe the humble hooter could one day also be used.

The scientists have been working on an experimental system that could help people prove they are who they say they are thanks to the distinct make up of their nose.

Scientists at the university used a photographic system called PhotoFace, developed by researchers at the University of the West of England Bristol and Imperial College London - shown here - to scan the shape of volunteers' noses, and developed computer software to analyse the results.

Photo credit: Dr Gary Atkinson (University of the West of England)

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Published: March 11, 2010 -- 10:46 GMT (02:46 PST)
Caption by: Nick Heath
The PhotoFace system captures a 3D image of a person's face by taking several photos lit from different angles to throw shadows on the face and then building a model of facial features.

The software determined that there are six main nose shapes: Roman, Greek, Nubian, Hawk, Snub and Turn-up.

Photo credit: Adrian Moorhouse

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Published: March 11, 2010 -- 10:46 GMT (02:46 PST)
Caption by: Nick Heath
The system does not use the shape of the entire nose to verify an individual's identity but rather analyses three parts: the ridge profile, the nose tip and the section between the eyes at the top of the nose - highlighted in the scan above.

By measuring the size of the three parts in relation to each other and the shape of the nose ridge, the system can be used to help establish a person's identity.

Photo credit: Adrian Moorhouse

Published: March 11, 2010 -- 10:46 GMT (02:46 PST)
Caption by: Nick Heath
While able to process images more quickly than conventional biometric identification techniques such as whole face recognition, the system's recognition rates were comparatively low and researchers recommend it as an addition to existing biometrics rather than a replacement.

In future the researchers at Bath plan to build up a larger database of noses to test and refine the software to see if it can pick out individuals from a larger group of people, or distinguish between relatives from the same family.

Dr Adrian Evans, seen here, from Bath University's department of electronic and electrical engineering, said that nose biometrics can provide a better way of identifying a person covertly, given that noses are harder to conceal.

Photo credit: Nic Delves-Broughton (University of Bath)

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Published: March 11, 2010 -- 10:46 GMT (02:46 PST)
Caption by: Nick Heath