fingerprint

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fingerprint

an impression taken of the indents present on the finger tips. These have been used in the detection of crime since before the Fingerprint Bureau at Scotland Yard was established in 1901, relying on the hypothesis that no two people have the same fingerprint. The first conviction was secured in 1902. The process works by comparing distinctive features of the suspect print with a print found at the scene of the crime. Palm prints were used in 1931. In 2002 it was accepted that ear print evidence might be admissible but that scientific misgiving meant that it could be subject to critical cross-examination. The process is now computerized. See e.g. AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AFIS). While the roots of the use of fingerprints are in criminal investigation, computerization means that the same concept and technology can be used for basic civilian identification purposes, even secure use of personal equipment.

References in periodicals archive ?

Traditionally, highly trained specialists did this fingerprint work manually.

Biometrics

The controller is driving convergence in consumer electronics by enabling USB flash drives with features such as fingerprint authentication and video-over-USB, and dongle applications like DVB/PCTV cards, GPS receivers, and wireless presenters with NAND flash storage.

Cypress and UPEK Partner on Biometric Security Reference Design for Safe, Convenient Access to USB Flash Drives

Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission between cluster members with similar fingerprint patterns.

DNA fingerprinting of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: lessons learned and implications for the future. (Tuberculosis Genotyping Network)

In addition, AFIS will reduce human error in fingerprint classification, which cause inaccuracies in criminal history databases.

Criminal history investigations: the key to locking up the repeat offender

Fingerprints and footprints can be compared and a positive identification made by a print expert, usually within a relatively short period of time; DNA genotyping and analysis can take up to 3 months to complete

Best foot forward: infant footprints for personal identification

The FBI did find several similarities between Mayfield's fingerprint and the crime-scene print, but the print found at the bomb site turned out to belong to someone else.

Fingerprint evidence

A fine powder would give the highest-quality fingerprint.

Hands-on science (no lab required)

The laboratory databases included computerized images of DNA fingerprint patterns from all M.

Rationale and methods for the National Tuberculosis Genotyping and Surveillance Network. (Tubercolosis Genotyping Network)

However, using the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), law enforcement officers learned of wanted charges for a drug-related murder of another 18-year-old in Greenville, South Carolina.

Wanted and Arrested Person Records

The standard forms the basis for interoperability between federal, state, local, and international users of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) for the interchange of fingerprint search transactions.

NEW FINGERPRINT STANDARD APPROVED

Fingerprinting representative Mitch Gremillion checks a fingerprint taken from Shondrea Davis, a new employee at the Hawaiian Gardens Casino.

A WINNING IDEA, HANDS DOWN HIGH-TECH FINGERPRINTING BUSINESS APPEARS HEADED FOR BLACK INK

In addition, the panel recommends the formation of a National Committee on Forensic DNA Typing to keep up with innovations in DNA fingerprinting methods, and the creation of a nationwide DNA fingerprint database if current pilot studies prove its usefulness in tracking criminals.