Page 118 - Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)

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Figure 5.8
Capture of Images on a
Livescan

The livescan consists of a computer containing proprietary software that
allows communication with AFIS, a keyboard to capture arrest and biometric
data, a platen, and a screen. A camera may also be attached. For most opera-
tions, information about the subject who is being printed, such as pedigree
information and charge and arrest information if a criminal case, is entered
either by the technician or by the OLBS. Vendors may provide a pull-down
menu to standardize the list of choices and provide uniformity to the process;
this saves time as well.
One advantage of livescan machines is that the operator can preview
captured images before accepting them (see Fig. 5.9). This can provide an
improved level of confidence, since the finger image can be recaptured if the
image quality of the first attempt is poor. Livescan also reduces incidences of
either transposed or misplaced fingers by enabling a preview of minutia for
each finger. The machine compares the minutia of each image, ensuring that
no set of minutiae is repeated, i.e., that the same finger is not rolled more than
once. Additionally, livescan compares the minutia of the rolled images with the
minutia of the plain impressions to reduce the possibility of transposed hands
or out-of-sequence fingers.