Sounds like something from a spy movie, and I'm sure I've seen it too!

Yes so many films have used this plot-line, and even changed the designs of genuine finger print scanners to no include pulse sensors and temperature sensors even though I think that this might be the first time I have heard of it in real life.

Criminals sometimes cut off their victim's hand to access their laptop or secure underground facility. One of several good reason not to use finger print locks. Even more reason not to use retinal scans!!

In spy fiction I do remember seeing fake finger prints being worn - a very thin film just on the finger tips. I'm not sure, but it might have been "the man from UNCLE" or similar. It was a long time ago!

It's rather cool to think it's being done IRL. You're correct that some detection of life signs would help to prevent fraud, and potential bodily mutilation. It wouldn't be that complicated to implement, and could potentially detect stress too - so that victims could not be coerced into unlocking stuff.

Demolition Man!

And Minority Report, as I remember. Although Demolition Man's was more gruesome.

I'm sure Mythbusters managed to fool finger print entry systems quite easily.

Maybe that was the inspiration for this woman's efforts?

Yep, all they did was make a 3d gel model so the heat could pass through more effectively