Verification method and system

A method for determining whether a biometric feature of a live human is present, comprising:

• using a sensor, capturing visual data related to a presented biometric feature;
• transmitting an ultrasound wave to the presented biometric feature, wherein the ultrasound wave is capable of causing an involuntary response from a biometric feature of a live human;
• and
• determining whether the data indicates that the involuntary response has occurred thereby to determine whether a biometric feature of a live human is present.

Apparatus for determining whether a biometric feature of a live human is present, comprising:

• a camera for capturing visual data of a presented biometric feature;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit a sound wave towards the biometric feature in accordance with a—pattern;
• wherein the pattern comprises at least one pulse each being followed by a pause with a random duration;
• a sensor for capturing data related to a reflected signal from the presented biometric feature;
• wherein the pattern is configured such that a pulse in the reflected signal, said pulse corresponding to a reflection of the most recently transmitted pulse from the presented biometric feature, is received during the pause following the most recently transmitted pulse;
• and
• a processor adapted to determine whether the visual data and the reflected signal data relate to a biometric feature having realistic dimensions thereby to determine that a live biometric feature is present.