The invention relates to a computerized method of profiling a shear flow,
such as a boundary layer. The method includes receiving two successive
images of a plurality of particles in the shear flow near the interface
being analyzed. The method also includes determining a set of potential
particle motion vectors based on the received images and dynamically
ranks the likelihood that the potential tracks are correct based on track
density. Track density is calculated using a plot matrix and kernel
technique. The ranking is used to match particles from the successive
images. The method also includes generating a velocity profile of the
flow about the interface based on the particles matches and the
determined location of the interface. The method is also applicable to
moving and deforming interfaces.