A method of in-vivo fat measurement of humans or animals by scanning the
ear of the subject using a fibre optic probe delivering a light beam of
Near infrared wavelengths provided by a NIR source. Passing the beam
through an interferometer to encode data from the whole spectral range
simultaneously. Detecting reflected light by a detector and applying
Fourier Transform techniques to determine the intensity of the light in
at least one narrow wave band selected for its correspondence to a form
of fat. Recording the NIR response and determining the fat content of the
body by either comparison to known reference samples or by use of an
empirical formula.