Lend a hand to help catch child abusers

CHILD abusers could soon be tracked down and convicted using pictures of their hands.

Scientists are developing technology to identify suspects by patterns of veins, tendons and freckles on the back of their hands, similar to fingerprint testing.

Researchers are asking for volunteers – who will remain anonymous – to submit photos of their hands to help train their machines.

Forensic anthropologist Professor Dame Sue Black, of Lancaster University, says the technology could identify criminals more quickly and spare police from having to study distressing images.