You may be correct. But how about an iris scan?
http://www.answers.com/topic/retina-and-iris-scans#ixzz1fMBGocJH
“In contrast to the retinal scanners, iris scanners are of two main types: active and passive. The active system works from 3 to 14 inches and also requires the user to move forward and backwards so the camera is adjusted properly. In contrast the passive system can work over longer distances one to three feet. The main technology developer is Iridian Technologies, which holds the patents to the concepts and technologies involved.”
I must admit the distance from the camera was over 14”, more like 4-5 feet.
I appreciate you input, you seem confident in your answer concerning retina scans. The photo feature contrast on the picture they printed seemed hard. Wonder what they were doing?
It is far more likely that it was a facial recognition scan to determine if you have other driver’s licenses with different identities.
Don’t forget facial recognition technology.
My guess is that the last time you had a pic taken, they used a real film camera. This time, they had switched to digital, which uses different equipment, hence the brighter flash lamps and the “hard” contrast. The change in distance probably has to do with different requirements for the new digital DL, much like a passport photo has to be certain proportions for facial recognition software to work.
Iris and retina scans are fairly intrusive, from a security perspective, so they’re not generally used in public situations like a driver’s license. It’s far more likely that they just got a different, digital camera which needs different lighting and a different focal length to get good shots. At worst, they’re doing facial recognition scanning after the fact, which they can pretty much do anywhere anyway (ATMs, the toll plazas on the Bush turnpike, the entry foyer of any government building).