A Reality Check of Fingerprinting

The entertainment industry has trained people to believe that fingerprints are the be-all and end-all solution for personal identification. In criminal cases, the cops manage to solve a case by lifting the fingerprints from a martini glass, table, door knob and others. The latent fingerprints lifted are screened with the countless fingerprints stored in the FBI’s database, which is a completely perfect and reliable system. The prints are punched into the system and results are immediately returned by an Automated Identification System.

 In fact, the reliability of fingerprint identification has extended its use to business organizations and companies. Employers are now conducting background check with the help of FBI fingerprints, Los Angeles; CA. Applicants are requested to capture their fingerprints at a Live Scan center, which are screened with the FBI database. Seems perfect; indeed!

Reality Check

Well, experts have a different opinion. Sadly, this scenario is not completely true. It is important to understand the misconceptions surrounding the use of fingerprints for personal identification.

Here’s busting the popular myths.

• Fingerprints are found on objects: TV serials are far from the truth. Every time a person touches something, they do not essentially leave fingerprints. Although this does not mean that the object was untouched, it means that the fingerprints were not left. In fact, some times, the fingerprints are so fragmentary that they are not easy to work with. In reality, fingerprints may not always be found at the crime site. The criminal’s fingerprints are therefore, not fed in the database, which therefore, reveals misleading data during background check.

• Screening is Completely Automatic: Of course, technological advancements have made fingerprint screening easy and quick. However, it is merely a tool. Expert intervention is a must to match the fingerprints. In fact, the person must be fully trained to handle fingerprints. A person dealing with latent fingerprints may not be fit to handle other prints. Similarly, working in a jail with fingerprints is not the same as working with them in the lab and testing it. So, a person fully trained in fingerprinting is essential. To avoid erroneous testing, the International Association for Identification has taken it upon itself to train and certify fingerprint experts to the highest standards.

• FBI database is Complete: The completion of the FBI database of criminals is completely dependent on the agencies and departments providing data. Often, arrests at state levels are negligently not sent to the FBI for recording. Moreover, minor offences and misdemeanors are not recorded. What’s more, delay in recording of data also occurs. So, the FBI database is not always updated with the latest information.

Despite being a reliable method for personal identification, FBI fingerprints has its setbacks. Experts therefore, advice employers and agencies to create a perfect blend for background heck, which includes fingerprint screening along with other methods of gathering information about the applicants. In this way, the hiring decision can be complete and trustworthy.

It is also important to choose the right live scan center that not provides excellent services. One such live scan center is Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan center.

For further details, contact them at www.anshinotary.com