Automated Fingerprint Identification System

An Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is a highly specialized biometric system that compares a single fingerprint image with a database of fingerprint images. Fingerprint images are collected from crime scenes or are taken from criminal suspects when they are arrested. Fingerprint images may be captured by placing a finger on a scanner or by electronically scanning inked impressions on paper. Officer time savings are realized as prints which would have previously been physically taken or faxed to a state database to be checked against state print files can now be taken automatically and cross-checked against automated state records.