Putting a finger on it – the loops and whorls of biometrics
Further Reading
July 2007, page 7
Forgery protection lights up fingerprinting
Looks at the potential use of anti-Stokes materials in fingerprinting.
Australian Science Teachers' Journal
September 2003, pages 34-39
The science of biometric identification (by Clifton L. Smith)
Covers different methods of identifying individuals using biometric characteristics and suggests classroom activities that could be developed.
June 2005, pages 4-8
Privacy and new technology (by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner)
Looks at information privacy issues associated with new technologies.
June 2005, pages 23-24
Genetic privacy (by Loane Skene)
Discusses new genetic technologies and questions about confidentiality of medical information.
19 September 2007, page 30
Online biometrics flaw gives hackers a ‘fake finger’ (by Anil Ananthaswamy)
Looks at a scheme which could allow hackers to steal the fingerprint data.
26 May 2007, page 29
New forensic technique points finger at smokers
Presents a new technique to identify smokers.
21 April 2007, pages 28-32
Foolproof fingerprints: the counterfeit killers (by Richard Fisher)
Looks at product counterfeiting and the development of foolproof fingerprints.
3 June 2006, page 28
The code that keeps your fingerprints secure (by Celeste Biever)
Discusses a new way to store fingerprints, iris scans and facial images.
7 January 2006, page 22
Fake fingers no match for scanner's electronic nose (by Celeste Biever)
Explains what scientists are doing to overcome fake finger scans.
19 September 2005, page 6
How far should fingerprints be trusted? (by Andy Coghlan and James Randerson)
Looks at the reliability of fingerprints as evidence in court cases.
13 September 2005, pages 26-29
ID revolution – prepare to meet the new you (by Celeste Biever)
Looks at the growing dependence on digital information to establish identity.
17 September 2005, pages 20-23
Privacy and prejudice: Whose ID is it anyway? (by Duncan Graham-Rowe)
Discusses the issue of biometrics and privacy.
14 July 2005
Ear biometrics may beat face recognition (by Duncan Graham-Rowe)
Describes ear-shape analysis as a means of identifying people.
9 April 2005, page 4
Finger chopped off to beat car security
Describes the actions of car thieves who stole a car with a fingerprint recognition ignition system.
19 May 2004
New biometric approach secures ID cards (by Duncan Graham-Rowe)
Describes a system of iris scanning that does not need reference scans to be stored on a central database.
13 March 2004, pages 6-7
Bite-mark evidence can leave a false impression (by James Randerson)
Discusses the reliability of teeth bite marks as evidence in court.
31 January 2004, pages 6-7
Forensic evidence stands accused (by James Randerson and Andy Coghlan)
Discusses the reliability of fingerprints as evidence in court.
21 November 2003
Biometric cards will not stop identity fraud (by Duncan Graham-Rowe)
Looks at the possibility of obtaining fraudulent biometric identity cards.
7 September 2002, pages 38-42
Face-off (by Michael Brooks)
Looks at face-recognition software.
August 2005
The boundaries of surveillance
Asks how the need for security can be reconciled with the freedom of the individual.
August 2005
Biometrics and justice
Looks at the need for secure communication transactions in the field of justice. Includes boxed information 'Benefits of the match-on-card' and 'Body prints'.
19 August 2008
Beyond fingerprinting: Is biometrics the best bet for fighting identity theft? (by Anil K. Jain and Sharath Pankanti)
Describes security systems based on anatomical and behavioural characteristics.
July 2002, page 8-9
Who's who (by Paul Wallich)
Looks at whether digital technology makes it more difficult to create a false identity.
Page updated September 2008.