A device for recognizing an individual, including a sensor including a plurality of sensitive members having a contact area on which a portion likely to be that of the individual to be recognized is applied, a measurement mechanism connected to the sensitive members to supply information on local contact forces generated by the portion applied on the contact area, and a processor connected to the sensor to determine from the local contact forces a morphological characteristic of the individual to be recognized. The measurement mechanism also supplies information relating to at least another physical magnitude related to the contact, and the processor determines from the other physical magnitude a physiological characteristic of the individual to be recognized.