Computer determines pain by analysing somone's face

A computer is being developed that rates how much pain someone is in by detecting small changes to their facial expressions. Such a system could help doctors determine how to treat patients and may save the prescription of painkillers. Study author Dr Jeffrey Cohn from the University of Pittsburgh, said: 'These metrics might be useful in determining real pain from faked pain.' People experience and express pain differently, which makes it difficult for doctors to gauge the extent patients are suffering based on self-reported scores. The researchers hope the system could one day be available as an app that doctors have on their smartphones.