It is more than 10 years since the first tentative experiments

in ear biometrics were conducted and it has now reached the

“adolescence” of its development towards a mature biometric.

Here we present a timely retrospective of the ensuing

research since those early days. Whilst its detailed structure

may not be as complex as the iris, we show that the ear has

unique security advantages over other biometrics. It is most

unusual, even unique, in that it supports not only visual and

forensic recognition, but also acoustic recognition at the

same time. This, together with its deep three-dimensional

structure and its robust resistance to change with age will

make it very difficult to counterfeit thus ensuring that the ear

will occupy a special place in situations requiring a high

degree of protection.