An iris imaging system is provided. The iris imaging system includes at least one light source configured to illuminate an iris at a spectrum of light. The iris imaging system also includes at least one image capturing device including at least one of an indium-gallium-arsenide, lead sulphide, and lead selenide based detector and configured to capture an image of the iris via light reflected from the iris at the spectrum. The device is further configured to provide a signal representing one or more features of the iris in response to the light reflected from the iris.