A lot of the newer face rec programs now map the human face differently than in the past. Some "home in" on the eyes, cheekbones,
eyebrow ridge, chin, nose, etc.
I agree that this is certainly a better albeit a more costly method in terms of computer memory requirements and software development and associated costs (which will, no doubt, be passed on to the consumer / end user).
A face is a face is a face...unless you're wearing a plaid shirt!;)