Automated fingerprint identification systems: From fingerprints to fingermarks

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to present the automated fingerprint recognition technology and its use for forensic applications. After a brief historical review, we provide an introduction to modern Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) by discussing their functionalities and accuracy. The topic then becomes more technical and goes through some of the recently introduced approaches for fingerprint recognition (both for fingerprint and fingermarks). Forensic applications exploiting the recognition of fingerprints (identity verification and identification) and fingermarks (forensic intelligence, investigation and evaluation) are then described. Finally, a discussion about the current topics and foreseeable challenges in terms of technology and application concludes the chapter.