What does it take to fake out fingerprint scanners?

[FrodosPet]

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/fingerprint-scanner5.htm

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But, as effective as they are, they certainly aren't infallible, and they do have major disadvantages. Optical scanners can't always distinguish between a picture of a finger and the finger itself, and capacitive scanners can sometimes be fooled by a mold of a person's finger. If somebody did gain access to an authorized user's prints, the person could trick the scanner. In a worst-case scenario, a criminal could even cut off somebody's finger to get past a scanner security system. Some scanners have additional pulse and heat sensors to verify that the finger is alive, rather than a mold or dismembered digit, but even these systems can be fooled by a gelatin print mold over a real finger. (This site explains various ways somebody might trick a scanner.)

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The real problem with biometric security systems is the extent of the damage when somebody does manage to steal the identity information. If you lose your credit card or accidentally tell somebody your secret PIN number, you can always get a new card or change your code. But if somebody steals your fingerprints, you're pretty much out of luck for the rest of your life. You wouldn't be able to use your prints as a form of identification until you were absolutely sure all copies had been destroyed. There's no way to get new prints.

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[Cirque du So-What]

1. Curious... why is this posted in LA?

I gotta admit, however, that when I saw the title of the OP, along with the forum where it's posted, my mind made an immediate connection with drug cartels, so it was no great surprise to see 'dismembered digits' mentioned in the snippet.

[FrodosPet]

2. Venezuela want to use fingerprint scanners to ration food in an attempt to curtail smuggling

http://www.democraticunderground.com/110832976