Illinois DMVs are using facial recognition biometrics with their database of driver’s license pictures to help stop driver’s license fraud, according to a Government Technology article. While Illinois was the first to implement this program in 1997, since then roughly 20 other states have created similar programs. 

Logica Holdings’ recent acquisition of Dolphin Digital Media points at the possibility of new social networking sites for children that maintains a safe and secure atmosphere through biometric authentication of users. 

The Voice Commerce Group is currently developing a voice-based biometric system called Voice Transact using Nuance Communications’ voice recognition system, according to an IT Week article. Voice Transact is intended to help reduce security concerns involved in retail and internet banking as well as mobile payments. 

Biometrics developer Fujitsu’s new biometric palm scanner looks to replace finger print scanners by being safer and more consistent, according to a Scientific American article. The system, called PalmSecure, claims that it is harder to crack than a fingerprint scanner as it requires blood to be pumping through the palm when it is scanned.

PalmSecure works by using near-infrared light waves to scan the palm’s blood vessels creating a vascular pattern. Vascular patterns, like fingerprints, are unique and do not change over one person’s lifetime without external forces. 

Demonstration shows that FIPS 201 compliant ID cards issued by different jurisdictions can be read in one location

by Zack Martin, Editor

In a disaster, officials need to know who’s arriving at a scene and what they are qualified to do. Providing this information is the main goal behind the First Responder Authentication Credential. “I need to have a layer of trust that you are who you say you are,” says Craig Wilson, coordinator with the National Preparedness Directorate in the National Capital Region with FEMA.

Biometric Intelligence & Identification Technologies, a biometric technology provider, has filed for a patent on a mobile, wireless handheld iris scanner. The new device, called MORIS for Mobile Offender Recognition and Information System, is immediately intended for use by law enforcement agencies as a means of quickly identifying someone in custody. 

UK’s Identity and Passport Service’s biometric ID card project may have some possible issues due to fingerprint errors, according to a Silicon.com article. The Biometrics Assurance Group, and independent UK-based biometrics group, has warned that the project, which is to be rolled out over the next four years in the UK, is facing possible serious issues due to expected mismatched or unclear fingerprints taken for the ID cards.

The worry is that the errors will affect not only the technical elements of the project, but the business process as well. The group suggests that handling of these issues will take up a large amount of the resources devoted to it, possibly raising cost issues as well.