Page 137 - Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)

122 AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS

In another type of use, a SWOT analysis on a competing company might be
initiated by a company interested in outperforming or taking over it. The analy-
sis will inform the company of its competitor’s strengths, weaknesses, opportu-
nities, and threats, and how they can be used against the competitor. If it was
found that the competitor was too dependent on a few key staff, for example,
the company could then consider how to lure them away.

6.1.1 AFIS STRENGTHS
Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems have become a widely accepted
method of identifying persons in a one-to-many (1:N) search. In both foren-
sic and civil applications, AFIS systems offer incredibly high accuracy and a
quick response, and in many cases provide a history. Depending on the number
of fingers used and the size of the database, the accuracy rate can exceed
99.97%. That means that three people in 10,000 are not identified, but 9,997
of the 10,000 are. That number can be increased with the following situations:

• name search confirmation from the Master Name Index (MNI)
• searching multiple fingers
• multiple records of the same individual on the database
• more accurate matching algorithms
• more accurate coding algorithms
• better quality images on the database
• better images for comparison

The latest generation of AFIS matchers and coders, while state-of-the-art today,
will be replaced by better, more accurate matchers and coders in the future.
The same can be said for all the components of AFIS systems.
The systems are more reliable now than they were in the past. A request for
proposals (RFP) will usually specify that the hardware and operating software
be COTS—commercial-off-the-shelf components—which can be more easily
repaired and replaced because of the standardization. This reduces both costs
and downtime. For example, a new release in a COTS operating system soft-
ware (e.g., upgrading from Windows 95 to Windows 98, Windows 2000, or
Windows XP) can be more easily installed and configured than a new version
of a custom-made operating system. Plus, application software from the AFIS
vendor is more easily tested and introduced into a COTS operating system.
COTS hardware has reduced the need to use valuable computer room space
for storage. AFIS administrators no longer have to keep a large inventory of
equipment simply for use as spare parts—some of which might become out-
dated before it is ever used. Additional equipment can be configured into a