Page 266 - Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)

APPENDIX A

GLOSSAR Y

The following glossary was developed from many sources. To support the stan-
dardization of use, wherever possible the acronyms and abbreviations and their
definitions were extracted from industry-recognized sources such as the Inte-
grated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) Program Office Glossary. 1

ACCEPTANCE TESTING—Thorough test of an AFIS prior to taking ownership
and making payment.
ACCESS RIGHTS—Options for an AFIS user that enable specific AFIS func-
tions. For example, tenprint staff cannot access latent print functions unless
granted access rights to those functions.
ACCURACY—A software quality metric that provides those characteristics for
required precision in calculations and outputs.
ACE-V—Scientific procedure for identifying latent fingerprints that involves
analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification. Analysis is the qualitative
and quantitative assessment of level 1, level 2, and level 3 details to deter-
mine proportion, interrelationship, and value for individualization. During
comparison, the latent print examiner looks at the attributes noted during
analysis for differences and agreement between the latent print and the can-
didate. Evaluation involves making a determination if two impressions are
from the same source, are not from the same source, or are inconclusive.
Verification is an independent analysis, comparison, and evaluation by a
second qualified examiner.
AFIS—Automated Fingerprint Identification System. An automated minutia-
based identification system. May consist of two or more distinct databases
composed of two finger identification records and ten finger latent cognizant
records (records of individuals more likely to be found at crime scenes, e.g.,
burglars).

1 That document is intended to standardize the use of terms and establish a common language
reference base for government support personnel, contractors, engineers, customers, and others
associated with the IAFIS.