Newcastle University is investigating ways to use technology which can determine a typist’s age, sex and culture within 10 keystrokes by monitoring their speed and rhythm.
The research has been carried out in the US by the university’s associate professor Roy Maxion, and former Northumbria Police detective chief inspector Phil Butler believes it could be useful in tracking down fraudsters and paedophiles. The murder of Darlington teenager Ashleigh Hall last year by a predator she met on Facebook has raised fresh calls for extra security to protect young people on the internet.
Mr Butler, who heads up the university’s CyberCrime and Computer Security department, said: “We’re looking at the application of the research, particularly in relation to internet grooming.
“If children are talking to each other on Windows Live or MSN Messenger, Microsoft might be able to see if there’s an adult on there.”
The department, which was formed last summer, also believes the new technology could be used to prevent fraud at devices such as cash machines
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