Commentary, Adv Biomed Res Vol: 6 Issue: 1

Advantages and Limitations of Fingerprinting

Ross Bremner^*

Department of Forensic Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

*Corresponding Author: Ross Bremner
Department of forensicBiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
E-mail: bremer@ross.cn

Received date: 22 February, 2023, Manuscript No. ABRI-23-95938;

Editor assigned date: 27 February, 2023, Pre QC No. ABRI-23-95938(PQ);

Reviewed date: 15 March, 2023, QC No. ABRI-23-95938;

Revised date: 22 March, 2023, Manuscript No: ABRI-23-95938(R);

Published date: 29 March, 2023, DOI: 10.4172/ABRI.1000121.

Citation: Bremner R (2023) Advantages and Limitations of Fingerprinting. Adv Biomed Res Innov 6:1.

Keywords: Fingerprinting

Description

Fingerprinting is a widely used technique for identification and security. It involves the analysis of the unique patterns and ridges on an individual's fingertips to create a record that can be used for identification and authentication purposes. It has been used for identification purposes for over a century, and its importance in the field of forensics cannot be overstated. Fingerprinting is based on the premise that no two individuals have the same fingerprints, and as such, it is considered a highly reliable technique for identification and authentication. The unique patterns and ridges on an individual's fingertips are captured using various methods, including inked prints, digital scans, and live scans. These prints are then analyzed and compared to existing records to identify individuals or to authenticate their identity. The use of fingerprints for identification can be traced back to ancient Babylon, where fingerprints were used on clay tablets for business transactions. However, the modern development of fingerprinting is credited to Sir Francis Galton, who published a book in 1892 called "Fingerprints" that detailed the science of fingerprinting. Galton's work laid the foundation for the use of fingerprints in forensic science, and his research led to the development of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) in the 1970s.

There are three primary types of fingerprints: Arches, loops, and whorls. Arches are the simplest type of fingerprint, with ridges that flow from one side of the print to the other without making any loops or whorls. Loops are more complex, with ridges that enter and exit from the same side of the print, while whorls have ridges that form circular or spiral patterns. Fingerprinting has numerous applications in law enforcement, forensics, and other fields. In law enforcement, fingerprints are often used to identify suspects in criminal investigations, while in forensics fingerprints can be used to link individuals to crime scenes or to identify victims of accidents or disasters. Fingerprinting is also used in other fields, such as border control, banking, and healthcare, to authenticate the identity of individuals. Fingerprinting is considered a highly reliable technique for identification and authentication, with a high degree of accuracy and a low error rate. It is also a non-invasive technique that does not require any special equipment or training. However, fingerprinting does have some limitations. While fingerprinting is a widely used method for identification purposes, it does have some limitations including a person's fingerprints are incomplete or damaged, it may be difficult to obtain a complete set of prints for accurate identification. Although fingerprints are unique, they can vary in their characteristics, which may make it difficult to match them accurately. Fingerprint identification relies heavily on the skills of the examiner, and mistakes can occur due to factors such as fatigue, bias, or lack of training. It is possible for two individuals to have similar fingerprints, which can lead to false positives in identification. Environmental factors such as dirt, grease, or moisture can affect the quality of fingerprints and make them difficult to read. Fingerprints can change over time due to factors such as aging, injury, or disease, which can make it difficult to match them accurately to previous records. Its use has revolutionized the field of forensic science, and it has numerous applications in law enforcement, forensics, and other fields.