WCC Smart Search & Match is collaborating with SecuGen. SecuGen has developed rugged fingerprint readers and software, which will provide enhanced identification and authentication for WCC’s ELISE ID - The Platform for Multi-Modal Fusion. ELISE ID is capable of searching large amounts of data - both biographic and complex biometric - using advanced technologies to calculate similarities and rank results. ELISE ID’s platform will incorporate SecuGen’s fingerprint technology as an enhancement to its capabilities for multi-factor identification.

Swipe a card, enter a PIN and place a finger on the scanner and visitors to the Herbal Nutrition Center in Los Angeles can buy a small package of medicinal marijuana.

Individuals must have a doctor’s note in order to qualify for the purchase. After that they are given a pre-paid magnetic stripe card, choose a PIN and enroll a fingerprint to make purchases for the machine.

The U.S. Commerce Department is working on new rules telling U.S. companies what security technologies, specifically biometrics, can be exported to China, according to a report in the New York Times.

Facial recognition technology is being singled out, the report states. There are concerns the technology could be used to identify political and religious dissidents. Current policy allows the export of surveillance equipment as long as it; not intended exclusively for police work.

Arizona Senator and Republican Presidential hopeful John McCain called for tamper-proof, biometric documents to be issued to immigrants entering into the U.S. to work.

McCain made the remarks during the Republican presidential debate in Simi Valley, Calif. The response was to a question on whether his 2006 immigration proposal could come to a vote in the Senate today:

Swedish Airlines SAS Sverige is using fingerprint biometrics in order to make sure the passenger who checked a bag is the one getting on the flight.

Passengers have a fingerprint scanned when checking in for a flight. Before boarding the plane the fingerprint is scanned again to make sure it’s the same passenger. The fingerprint is only stored temporarily. Matching the baggage and person is a legal requirement and was done using ID documents.

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport in Mississippi is deploying a registered traveler program from Vigilant Solutions, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

Passengers wanting to sign up for the program must undergo a Transportation Security Administration background check. They will then be able to use a biometric smart card to access expedited lanes at the airports.

Zebra Technologies’ Zebra TLP 3844-Z™ compact thermal printers will play a role in the emergency identification and site access control systems being provided at the 2008 Super Bowl game in Glendale, Arizona. Salamander Technologies’ rapidTAG solution will provide on-scene site passes of authorized personnel to control site access and ensure identification and accountability of emergency responders. The system uses a scanner to capture ID data from each individual’s driver’s license and other credentials indicating the person’s agency, assignment, and qualifications. The data are stored in the incident management database, and the Zebra printer prints out a 3 by 5-inch, custom-designed bar coded pass. The solutions are fully compliant with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Incident Management System (NIMS) directive for standardization of communications and protocols required to handle emergency response and disaster management personnel and equipment.

Bioscrypt Inc. announced February 29, 2008 as the anticipated date for the security holders’ special meeting called to approve the plan of arrangement pursuant to which L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company.

Foreign nationals coming into O’Hare International Airport in Chicago will have ten fingerprints scanned instead of two.

There are signs that greet travelers when they enter the check-in area at O’Hare telling them they will be asked to place their right four fingers on the scanner, then their left four fingers and finally the two thumbs.

Ireland-based Daon and UK-based Intercede have integrated products to better enable biometric-based smart card systems.

Intercede has successfully integrated its MyID product with Daon’s identity management platform through a smart-card management system add on. This integration allows customers to pick and choose modules from both Intercede and Daon to improve the fit of the applications and reduce development costs.

Intercede’s MyID is a smart card and identity credential management system that enables organizations to enroll, issue and manage the lifecycle of smart cards, USB authentication devices, biometrics and other identity credentials. Daon provides biometric middleware systems.