1. A method for classifying facial image data, the method comprising the steps of: a) training a classifier device for recognizing one or more facial images and obtaining corresponding learned models the facial images used for training; b) inputting a vector including data representing a portion of an unknown facial image to be recognized into said classifier; c) classifying said portion of said unknown facial image according to a classification method; d) repeating step b) and c) using a different portion of said unknown facial image at each iteration; and, e) identifying a single class result from said different portions input to said classifier.