Iris scan
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An iris scan is one of the most currently used methods of biometric authentication. Using a small camera, an iris scan system examines both irides of the individual's eyes. It then takes advantage of small details in the iris stromal pattern in order to attempt positive identification of an individual. Anthropologists have long established up to 400 items in the inherited feature space of the iris stroma and epithelium. The irides of identical twins are measurably different; There are differences between the left and the right eyes of an individual and differences in images of the same iris at different moments in time.
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Advantages of iris scanning
An iris scan can be performed from several inches to several feet away, so there is no need to undergo invasive biometric procedures. In addition, the iris of the eye contains much more information than a fingerprint. While iris scans are said to be more accurate than most genetic fingerprinting, the golden standard of dermatoglyphic fingerprinting, established in the early 1820s by the Czech physiologist Jan Evangelista Purkyně has yet to be matched. All false positive, false negative, and overall accuracy values are still being improved.
The fraud attempts are becoming more and more difficult, as the acquisition devices are getting smarter.
Changes in the health of an individual can affect the color of the irides. So, the iris is pretty stable over time. Some iris identification have succeeded over a period of about 30 years.
Disadvantages of iris scanning
Iris scanning requires the full cooperation of the subject.
As for any biometry there is no easy identity repudiation.
Human rights concerns
Human rights activists voiced concerns that iris scans further the ability of a government to track its citizens beyond their will and even the most current acceptability standardsTemplate:Fact. Activists suggest that the money invested for iris scan research would be better used toward research that improves health and welfareTemplate:Fact.