ID taken in vein

JAPANESE maker of electronic bits and bobs Hitachi thinks that it has come up with a foolproof method of verifying users' identities.

Never mind fingerprints, its boffins have come up with a method of scanning the veins in your fingers.

This method has the advantage that if crooks cut off your finger so that they can use your fingerprint to verify you are who say you are, it won't work because the veins will be borked.

The system uses infrared rays to do the scanning and Hitachi thinks it will be worth ¥100 billion in sales over three years.

Versions of the technology have been designed for door access controls to computer log systems and automatic cash dispensers, with Japanese banks looking to trial the new technology at ATMs.

Of course you have to have fingers and blood. µ