The History & Evolution of Fingerprint Identification

Common knowledge says that fingerprints are the most reliable means of personal identification. It rests on the fact that fingerprints of individuals differ from each other. In fact, prints of siblings; even twins are different from each other. This is what makes fingerprinting the gold standard of personal identification.

History of Fingerprinting

Prior to the advent of fingerprinting, visible characteristics like facial features including shape, size of limbs, color of eyes etc were used for personal identification. However, similarity between these characteristics was observed in more than one individual, thereby making this method unreliable. What’s more, these features are prone to change with age and time.

On the contrary, fingerprints remain unchanged throughout a person’s lifetime, barring events like serious scarring, major injuries and diseases like leprosy.

So, after a long journey spanning multiple decades, modern fingerprint service, Los Angeles came into being for criminal investigations, background check etc. In fact, the electronic method of fingerprinting had also traversed a significant journey from manual capturing and checking to digital capturing and automatic screening of fingerprints.

 

The Commendable Journey of Fingerprinting

Here’s the journey that lead to modern fingerprinting.

Most books would state Sir William Herschel as the person who instigated the use of fingerprinting as a means of personal identification.

Well, few people are aware of the true advent of fingerprinting. It is surprising but true that fingerprinting dates back to early times, when ancient Babylonians used thumb marks as personal seals to close deals. However, whether the uniqueness of fingerprints was known or not remains unclear. In 1303, a Persian vizier recounted the use of fingerprints as signatures during the Qin and Han dynasties. It is also said it was then itself that they realized that fingerprints of any two individuals are different from each other. In fact, statements in a Chinese book dating back to the third century BCE also indicate the discovery of the uniqueness of fingerprints.

Fingerprinting; Today

Modern fingerprinting took birth much later. The mid-1800’s witnessed the advent of the use of fingerprinting for personal identification. A British magistrate by the name William Herschel observed the Indian custom of inking fingers while printing them alongside marks on contracts. Although he first took this practice as a superstition, but soon realized that the printed documents were highly honored. Very soon he saw the truth that fingerprints were reliable identification marks and no two prints looked alike. Over the years, the use of fingerprints for criminal and personal identification was officially and legally recognized.

Back in the twenties, the FBI’s first directorate, Edgar Hoover created a national pool of prints collected from various law enforcement agencies. The number came up to 5 million. Manual fingerprinting and screening came into vogue. However, this process of screening took weeks and months to return results. It was a tedious task and also suffered from errors.

In 1999, the bureau launched the IAFIS (Integrated Automated Fingerprinting Identification System). In 2014, the new and improved AIFS came into being. Digital fingerprinting and automated screening changed the scenario of fingerprinting service completely.

Fingerprinting services what are quick and convenient are now widely available. However, the one providing unsurpassed services is Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan.

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

Everything You Need to Know About the Live Scan Fingerprinting Process

Whether you are applying for a job, certificate, driving license, renewal or permit, odds are high that you will be asked to visit live scan services, Los Angeles. It is done to conduct a criminal background check of the applicant prior to hiring them or issuing license.

All about LiveScan

So, what exactly is Live Scan? The term may sound scary. In fact, people often perceive having to go through a full body check. However, it is not that.

Live Scan fingerprinting is an electronic, inkless form of fingerprinting used for criminal background check. Well, some states continue to ask for inked prints in certain cases. Besides that, all others require electronic fingerprinting done at authorized live Scan centers like Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan center.

Here, a trained and experienced technician helps applicants in capturing their fingerprints using the scanner. It takes a short while of about five minutes to do so. The prints are then electronically transmitted to the DOJ or FBI for screening. The FBI has a massive database of millions of fingerprints that have been recorded from the state, federal and local law enforcement agencies. All arrests and convictions are recorded in this database.  Screening fingerprints with this database reveals the criminal history including arrests and convictions if any. Hiring and license issuing decisions are based on these results.

For instance: A person with a criminal background of theft or money laundering will not be hired as cashier or accountant in a company. Similarly, a person with a history of traffic violations would not be hired as a driver.

Who Needs Fingerprinting?

So, here’s a list of people who mostly require fingerprinting.

• Doctors, realtors and lawyers seeking a license for inception of business
• People who need to trade in or manufacture cannabis products
• Candidates applying for a job
• Citizens of the country who need to prove their identity for multiple purposes
• Individuals who need to prove worthy of taking care of the more vulnerable audience like the elderly and kids.

How Fingerprinting is done?

The aforementioned people are often requested by the respective agency. They are responsible for giving instructions and the live scan form to applicants. The applicant needs to fill the form, fix an appointment at the Live Scan center and visit them for the services. Thanks to the advent of digital fingerprinting, the results are returned in not more than 24 to 48 hours.

Well, illegible and blurred prints are rejected, which leads to delay in the hiring process. It is therefore, important to ensure working with live scan centers that have trained technicians to capture prints. Although electronic fingerprinting has reduced the chances of errors, minor issues might come up for variety of reasons. However, working with the best services like Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan services assure perfection. What’s more, they also provide mobile notary and live scan services at the client’s specified place and time. So, in case of emergency, you can contact the industry leader for the best services.

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

How to Choose the Right Fingerprinting Service

Do you need fingerprint services, Los Angeles? There are many of them out there. It can therefore, be tough to choose the right one for you.

So, here are some things to look for when choosing a fingerprint service provider.

The List

The quality of the fingerprint equipment: Gone are the days when fingers were dipped in ink and printed on cards. Thanks to technological advancements, Live Scanners are now being used for inkless printing. What’s more, it is faster, more accurate and convenient. Clients visit the live scan center, where the technician helps them to capture the prints with the help of the scanner. It takes only a few minutes and the same are then electronically transmitted to the FBI for screening.

Well, even this method is not free from pitfalls. Accuracy is dependent on the technician’s skills and quality of the equipment. So, checking the quality of equipment is imperative before boiling down on the live scan center.

Accuracy of Results: Fingerprinting services are mostly used by employers to conduct background check of prospective employees. Hiring decision is based on the result. In case the captured prints are illegible or blurred, they are rejected. Applicants have to go through the process again until the prints are captured accurately. Moreover, delay in getting the results may rob the applicant of the employment opportunity. So, check the accuracy of results prior to choosing the services

Speed of fingerprint processing: Although electronic fingerprinting services have made the process faster than the conventional system, ineffectiveness of the live scan center can result in delay. Delay in processing leads to multiple other problems. So, checking the speed of the process at the center is important before choosing the services.

Check the reputation and customer satisfaction: The world of Internet allows clients to check the reviews of past and existing customers online. Satisfied and happy customers is a tell tale sign of good fingerprinting services. So, scan through the reviews to understand the efficiency and effectiveness of the services offered at the Live Scan center.

Service Fee Charged: In most states, the fee for fingerprinting services at Live Scan centers are capped by the legal authorities. However, many centers offer mobile services at the client’s specified place and time. They charge an extra fee for these services. Besides this, come unscrupulous services providers may charge additional fee over and above the cap specified by the law. It is therefore, advisable to compare the price before hiring fingerprinting services. 

So, weigh the pros and cons of multiple live scan centers providing the services and then choose the one that fits into the characteristics mentioned above.

Anshin Mobile Notary & Live Scan services are one of the best centers that not only provide fingerprinting services, but also offer notary services. What’s more, they provide mobile services. So, clients can call them for notarizing and fingerprinting at their specified time and place.

So, if you need any of these services, find them at www.anshinotary.com