Researchers at the University of Bath (U.K.) indicate that the nose could be a better method of individual identification than fingerprints or iris scans.
According to their work, there are 6 main nose structures: Roman, Greek, Nubian, hawk, snub and turned-up (seriously!). Using three-dimensional scans, they categorized noses by tip, ridge profile and naison (the ‘bridge’ of the nose).
Noses are excellent identifiers, especially in covert surveillance. Everyone has one and they’re prominent facial features. While they can be changed – with false noses, or with breaks or surgery – they are another tool that can be used in criminal identification.
The Bath researchers indicate that, despite their size and prominence, noses have not been seriously considered in the field of biometrics – the study of identifying distinguishing traits in humans.
Irises are considered powerful biometric identifiers. However, they can be difficult to capture accurately, and can be obscured or changed by contacts or glasses. Drugs can also dilate irises, which change their characteristics entirely. Ears are also identifiers, however they can be obscured by hair or hats.
The researchers hope that noses will become part of the biometric analysis package, stating that no single method is perfect.
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