He says the organisation collects sets of similar finger and palm prints so that improvements can be made in the ability to distinguish ordinary sets of prints.

ECONOMIST: Twin research

Other emerging technologies are palm and finger vein readers.

CNN: Fully biometric airports becoming a reality

Already in use in the banking sector in Japan, these scanners are thought to be more accurate than fingerprinting since a person's fingerprint alters in childhood whilst palm and finger vein patterns remain unchanged from the womb.

CNN: Fully biometric airports becoming a reality

The entire top of the mouse is a button, allowing you to click by simply applying pressure with your palm -- a boon for people who have concerns about the ergonomic correctness of using a single finger to click.

CNN: Review: Apple Pro Mouse