Passive Characterization via Statistical Analysis

One area of my research employs the use of statistical analysis to passively characterize an instrument using artifacts inherent in the output it produces. If asked to make an "elevator pitch" for it, I like to refer to similar but easier to describe applications such as the ability to determine an author's gender solely artifacts inherent in the text, or the ability to identify particular anonymous machines on the internet by watching its packets go by using timing crystal artifacts inherent in is message timestamps. I just read a review in the economist for a book called super crunchers, which sounds like it might be another source for such applications.