Page 27 - Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)

12 AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS

known image. Either the door is unlocked, or it remains locked, 100% success
or 0% success; yes or no, black or white.
The other type of search is the one-to-many (1:N) search. When a booking
officer prints an arrestee, there may be questions as to the authenticity of the
information provided by the arrestee. The one-to-many search looks for com-
monalities of image characteristics, such as minutiae, ridge flow, and ridge
endings. The search produces a candidate list based on a score derived from
the matching process. The score reflects the match between the images in ques-
tion with the records on file. The higher the score, the more likely the two
images come from the same person. The terms 100% and 0% are not relevant
in this context. There is no black or white, yes or no; there is only varying shades
of gray, levels of probability.

1.6 WHY FINGERPRINT-BASED CHECKS ARE IMPORTANT

There are several methods of obtaining background information for a person,
with or without their permission. A background check will often be performed
on one person or a group of people for a specific reason. Perhaps that check
is a condition of employment. What information is checked and by whom? Does
this check provide accurate information about the person in question? Just as
important, what is done with the findings and what appeal process exists if the
information is wrong?
There is no single accepted definition of what constitutes a background
check. There is no universal understanding as to whether it includes finger-
prints, or which databases will be checked. This is becoming an important issue,
for as the amount of information collected on each person increases, the
chances of collecting incorrect information also increase.
One source of incorrect information, identity theft, is increasing as infor-
mational databases are used and misused. Through accident or fraud, identi-
ties are being compromised. For a fee, major credit reporting companies
provide a credit report that includes the information collected about a person,
such as credit accounts, public records such as bankruptcies and civil judg-
ments, inquiries, employment data, and current and previous addresses. A peri-
odic review of this information is encouraged to assure the accuracy of the data
and the correct identity of the person. There is an appeal process for infor-
mation believed to be inaccurate, with a response due within 30 days along with
an updated credit history. From this example, it is apparent that some of the
items that people use to confirm their identities are subject to misuse. Names
can be fraudulently changed; faces can be altered, identities hidden, histories
covered. Fingerprints, however, do not change. Fingerprints link a person to a
history, even if the history states that there is no history.