This work proposes and evaluates object description and retrieval techniques in different real applications. It addresses the classification of boar spermatozoa according to acrosome integrity using several methods based on invariant local features. In addition, it provides two new methods for insert localisation and an automatic solution for the recognition of broken inserts in edge profile milling heads that can be set up in-process without delaying any machining operations. Finally, it evaluates different clusterings of keypoints for object retrieval and proposes a new descriptor, named colour COSFIRE, in the scope of the European project Advisory System Against Sexual Exploitation of Children.