Fingerprints contain remarkable structure. The dynamics of the development of prints in utero dictate that ridges maintain a similar separation. This provides the kind of regularity that could enable perceptual learning processes to develop and improve the extraction of features from prints.

For more information see:

Busey, T. A. & Vanderkolk, J. R. (2005). Behavioral and electrophysiological evidence for configural processing in fingerprint experts. Vision Research, 45, 431-448.

In this series of experiments, we examine how upright and inverted faces are processed differently by exploring the degree to which these two types of visual stimuli interact with a third stimulus set – visual noise.  Depending on how noise interacts with these stimuli, we can place neurophysiological constraints on models of expertise as well as the development of holistic/configural processing. 

For more information see:

Added noise affects the neural correlates of upright and inverted faces differently - Schneider, DeLong, Busey (2007)

As a preliminary of an adaptation experiement, we've designed one which uses distorted faces as stimuli. This preliminary experiment was used to show a pattern of distortion in the P300 and the N170.