- The New Mexico Department of Health reports that the basic system for recording and storing fingerprints was created by Sir Edward Henry in the U.K. in 1897, and still forms the basis of fingerprinting in the English-speaking world. Fingerprints were first used for identification in the U.S. in 1901, with the FBI establishing the first national file in 1930.
- The FBI explains that the technique with the highest accuracy rate of recording fingerprints is the 4-4-2 method. Referred to as type 14, this technique does not require the fingerprints to be rolled, and should start with the four fingers of the right hand, followed by the left hand and finally the thumbs. Type 4 fingerprinting is not as accurate as type 14 and requires the fingerprint to be recorded by rolling the finger.
- Fingerprints can be recorded and submitted via an electronic fingerprint scanner. To ensure accuracy, the live fingerprint scanner must be calibrated correctly with no impressions or dust on the scanning plate. Fingerprints can also be recorded using ink and a fingerprint card.
previous post