Page 31 - Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)

16 AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS

Table 1.1
AFIS Changes to the Before AFIS AFIS
Identification Business
Model
Finger classification Coder identifies minutiae
Fingerprint cards Images on RAID storage
Magnifying glass High-resolution monitor
Manual or semi-automated search Fully automated search
Mail, photo, laser fax Livescan
Response in hours, days Response in minutes
Search local files Search local, state, and national databases

1.9 OTHER AFIS ISSUES

Everything that can be invented has been invented. 2

From the success of AFIS systems, it might appear that there are no new chal-
lenges or opportunities to improve the identification process. However, Com-
missioner Duell’s statement above would receive the same reaction of disbelief
today if he was referring to the development of AFIS systems. There is a great
deal left to do.
Many of the early AFIS systems were developed prior to the introduction
of national standards. As a result, databases used by identification agencies
and sold by various vendors do not necessarily directly communicate with each
other. Interoperability, particularly in the area of latent print (crime scene)
searches, is still in the future. In addition, the latent print search capabilities
offered by these systems are not yet being fully exploited. Progress is being
made, but it will be awhile before agencies can search each other’s databases.
Even when this becomes possible, from an operational approach there will be
many administrative hurdles to overcome, such as agreements on use and dis-
semination of information by other agencies.
Personnel issues rank high on the list of AFIS concerns. As AFIS systems
assume more of the work involved in the identification process, the number of
those who are intimately familiar with the uniqueness of fingerprint images and
the process is diminishing. With the diminished demand for fingerprint classi-
fiers, and increasing retirements of the examiners, there is a smaller pool from
which to draw future AFIS supervisors and managers. The expectations of other
agency policy makers and managers may also be unrealistically elevated because
of false or misleading information from the media.

2 Attributed to Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899.