Er, so much for fingerprint scanning. According to this report from Clarkson University,

Fingerprint scanning devices often use basic technology, such as an optical camera that take pictures of fingerprints which are then “read” by a computer. In order to assess how vulnerable the scanners are to spoofing, Schuckers and her research team made casts from live fingers using dental materials and used Play-Doh to create molds. They also assembled a collection of cadaver fingers.In the laboratory, the researchers then systematically tested more than 60 of the faked samples. The results were a 90 percent false verification rate.

But do not despair, Homeland Security Spokespersons. Help is at hand. The Clarkson researchers found that if you scan for sweat, then the detection of fakes improves.

Which only goes to prove that, as someone once said, “genius is five percent inspiration and 95% perspiration”.

(Sorry — couldn’t resist that.) Thanks to the Guardian Online Blog for the link.