In the relentless pursuit of justice, law enforcement agencies rely on various tools and techniques to piece together the intricate puzzles of criminal investigations. Among these is the science of fingerprint and palm print analysis, which has long been a cornerstone of identification for law enforcement.
However, as technologies evolve, new possibilities come to the front lines. We’re in an era where microscopic details hold the key to unlocking the most complex cases. The advent of biometrics and high-quality tenprint and palm scanners that are capable of capturing an unprecedented level of detail is transforming how law enforcement processes evidence — solving crimes with greater accuracy and efficiency.
Third-Level Details = Next-Level Investigations
Since the late 1900s, fingerprint analysis has been used by law enforcement to solve crimes. It’s a meticulous process that relies on the unique patterns of ridges and valleys in our fingertips. Traditional methods focused on two primary levels of detail:
- Level 1 — This approach encompasses the overall pattern — arches, loops and whorls that provide an initial classification
- Level 2 — This level delves deeper into the minutiae to identify specific ridge characteristics such as endings and bifurcations
These features have proven invaluable in linking individuals to crime scenes. However, an even more granular layer of information exists that’s often invisible to the naked eye. This level — called third-level details — holds immense potential to further optimize criminal investigations.
- Level 3 — This level encompasses the intricate world of pores, including their size, shape and arrangement. It also includes the subtle contours and irregularities of ridge edges and the varying widths of the ridges themselves.
Solving Crimes With High-Quality Image Capture: HID and Innovatrics
Today, the integration of high-resolution tenprint scanners into Automated Biometric Identification Systems (ABIS) is transforming the law enforcement landscape. Innovatrics, a leading provider of trusted biometric solutions for governments and enterprises, supports law enforcement in solving cases with sophisticated ABIS technology.
A key component within Innovatrics’ ABIS is the HID® L Scan™ Tenprint and Palm Scanner — a biometric capture device designed to unleash the power of third-level fingerprint and palm print details. The 1000 PPI (pixels per inch) scanner reveals the unique microscopic characteristics that can serve as definitive identifiers — especially in challenging situations where print details are limited, unclear or even similar between individuals.
The definition of 1000 PPI is 1000 pixels per inch in both horizontal and vertical directions. The L Scan Tenprint and Palm Scanner goes way above the FBI requirements for 1000 PPI by capturing 1950 PPI horizontally and 1350 PPI vertically. This represents 95% higher resolution than the number required by the FBI.
HID L Scan Tenprint and Palm Scanner (L Scan 1000) captures 1950 PPI vertically and 1350 PPI horizontally — 95% higher resolution than the number required by the FBI.
By capturing high-resolution images from the start, the quality of the biometric data entered into the Innovatrics ABIS is significantly improved. This leads to faster, more accurate matching during subsequent searches, reducing the time it takes to identify suspects and potentially preventing additional crimes.
In situations where individuals try to obscure their fingerprints, the details captured by the HID L Scan scanner can reveal subtle inconsistencies or unique characteristics that are often missed by lower-resolution scanners.
Innovatrics selected HID as its technology partner based on the superior L Scan engineering, which delivers:
- High Image Quality — The scanner is FBI Appendix F (FAP 60) certified and can quickly capture high-resolution (1000 PPI) rolled and flat fingerprints
- Automatic Capture — Patented “auto-capture” offers fast and error-free image capture regardless of positioning on the platen
- User-Friendly Operation — Pictographs and LED indicators simplify the process for operators
- Flexible Configurations — Seamless integration with Innovatrics ABIS
Blending reliable, high-resolution tenprint readers tailored for law enforcement with modern ABIS is a significant step forward in the field of forensics. By unlocking the intricacies contained within third-level fingerprint details, agencies are empowered with a more precise, secure and reliable identification tool for background checks, criminal bookings, identity verification programs and more.
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