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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 Purkine has yet to be matched. All false positive, false negative, and overall accuracy values are still being improved.
Studies show that irides are not immutable. Also, changes in the health of an individual can affect their irides. Moreover, a number of workarounds, many of great availability, simplicity and reproducibility have demonstrated that iris scanning is far from being foolproof .
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 standards. Activists suggest that the money invested for iris scan research would be better used toward research that improves health and welfare.