Overview[]
Researchers are investigating a biometric technology that can distinguish and measure body odor. This technology would use an odor-sensing instrument (an electronic “nose”) to capture the volatile chemicals that skin pores all over the body emit to make up a person’s smell. Although distinguishing one person from another by odor may eventually be feasible, the fact that personal habits such as the use of deodorants and perfumes, diet, and medication influence human body odor renders the development of this technology quite complex.