FINGERSCANNING, also called fingerprint
scanning, is the process of electronically obtaining and storing human
fingerprints. The digital image obtained by such scanning is called a finger
image. In some texts, the terms fingerprinting and fingerprint are used, but
technically, these terms refer to traditional ink-and-paper processes and
images.
Fingerscanning is a biometric process, because it involves the automated capture, analysis, and comparison of a specific characteristic of the human body. There are several different ways in which an instrument can bring out the details in the pattern of raised areas (called ridges) and branches (called bifurcations) in a human finger image. The most common methods are optical, thermal, and tactile. They work using visible light analysis, heat-emission analysis, and pressure analysis, respectively.
Biometric fingerscanning offers improvements over ink-and-paper imaging. A complete set of fingerscans for a person (10 images, including those of the thumbs) can be easily copied, distributed, and transmitted over computer networks. In addition, computers can quickly analyze a fingerscan and compare it with thousands of other fingerscans, as well as with fingerprints obtained by traditional means and then digitally photographed and stored. This greatly speeds up the process of searching finger image records in criminal investigations.
In the biometric process of fingerscanning, a RIDGE is a curved line in a finger image. Some ridges are continuous curves, and others terminate at specific points called ridge endings. Sometimes, two ridges come together at a point called a bifurcation. Ridge endings and bifurcations are known as minutiae.
The number and locations of the minutiae vary from finger to finger in any particular person, and from person to person for any particular finger (for example, the index finger on the left hand). When a set of finger images is obtained from an individual, the number of minutiae is recorded for each finger.
The precise locations of the minutiae are also recorded, in the form of numerical coordinates, for each finger. The result is a function that can be entered and stored in a computer database. A computer can rapidly compare this function with that of anyone else in the world whose finger image has been scanned.
In theory, if a complete set of finger images was obtained for every person in the world, and the minutiae analyzed and recorded with sufficient accuracy, it would be possible for a single computer to determine the identity of any individual within seconds.
BIFURCATION is a point in a finger image at which two ridges meet. Bifurcations have the appearance of branch points between curved lines. The number and locations of the bifurcations and ridge endings, known as minutiae, vary from finger to finger in any particular person, and from person to person for any particular finger (for example, the ring finger on the right hand).
When a set of finger images is obtained from an individual, the number of minutiae is recorded for each finger. The precise locations of the minutiae are also recorded, in the form of numerical coordinates, for each finger. The result is a function that can be entered and stored in a computer database. A computer can rapidly compare this function with that of anyone else in the world whose finger image has been scanned.
Fingerscanning is a biometric process, because it involves the automated capture, analysis, and comparison of a specific characteristic of the human body. There are several different ways in which an instrument can bring out the details in the pattern of raised areas (called ridges) and branches (called bifurcations) in a human finger image. The most common methods are optical, thermal, and tactile. They work using visible light analysis, heat-emission analysis, and pressure analysis, respectively.
Biometric fingerscanning offers improvements over ink-and-paper imaging. A complete set of fingerscans for a person (10 images, including those of the thumbs) can be easily copied, distributed, and transmitted over computer networks. In addition, computers can quickly analyze a fingerscan and compare it with thousands of other fingerscans, as well as with fingerprints obtained by traditional means and then digitally photographed and stored. This greatly speeds up the process of searching finger image records in criminal investigations.
In the biometric process of fingerscanning, a RIDGE is a curved line in a finger image. Some ridges are continuous curves, and others terminate at specific points called ridge endings. Sometimes, two ridges come together at a point called a bifurcation. Ridge endings and bifurcations are known as minutiae.
The number and locations of the minutiae vary from finger to finger in any particular person, and from person to person for any particular finger (for example, the index finger on the left hand). When a set of finger images is obtained from an individual, the number of minutiae is recorded for each finger.
The precise locations of the minutiae are also recorded, in the form of numerical coordinates, for each finger. The result is a function that can be entered and stored in a computer database. A computer can rapidly compare this function with that of anyone else in the world whose finger image has been scanned.
In theory, if a complete set of finger images was obtained for every person in the world, and the minutiae analyzed and recorded with sufficient accuracy, it would be possible for a single computer to determine the identity of any individual within seconds.
BIFURCATION is a point in a finger image at which two ridges meet. Bifurcations have the appearance of branch points between curved lines. The number and locations of the bifurcations and ridge endings, known as minutiae, vary from finger to finger in any particular person, and from person to person for any particular finger (for example, the ring finger on the right hand).
When a set of finger images is obtained from an individual, the number of minutiae is recorded for each finger. The precise locations of the minutiae are also recorded, in the form of numerical coordinates, for each finger. The result is a function that can be entered and stored in a computer database. A computer can rapidly compare this function with that of anyone else in the world whose finger image has been scanned.
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