Mind reader

"By the end of 2005 the first biometric-enabled passports will be issued within the UK. Containing a biometric facial recognition image, the document will act as a precursor to the introduction of a compulsory national identity card, to be phased in from 2008.

The government hopes that a biometric facial image will help to counter identity fraud and verify the identity of the holder against the document. And if present policy is continued, along with facialinformation the card is also likely to contain both fingerprint and iris scan data."