Fingerprint Search Database, not all created equal

The make up of today’s fingerprint search databases have evolved from databases primarily made up of criminal fingerprint cards, to systems that now include significant numbers of non-criminal applicant and permit fingerprint cards. These criminal background checks have been a tremendous benefit to public safety and in all likelihood prevented numerous crimes, some of which would have led to serious injury or death. As the number of non-criminal records increase it becomes even more critical that the fingerprint search databases and procedures adhere to the highest standards to decrease the possibility of error. The Brandon Mayfield case in Oregon is probably the most recognizable case where an individual was wrongly identified using fingerprint. There are quite a number of other cases, the individual stopped in CA. for a traffic infraction but based on a fingerprint criminal history, was wrongly incarcerated. In the lawsuits that followed, it was found the error had occurred 4 years earlier and the state was aware of 97 other similar identification errors. The cause of the error was attributed to hardware problem. As is apparent from the last example, the error may not become apparent until years later and can be difficult to get corrected.
Are the images in all the state search databases the same, unfortunately, they are not, the fingerprints in each state search database are dictated by state statute. Every state requires felony arrests be captured and submitted and stored in the state repository, not all states require all misdemeanors to be fingerprinted and stored at the state level. The non-criminal applicant and permit cards are also dictated by state statute, with some non-criminal cards retained by the state and some returned to the submitting agency. The FBI and NY state have specific guidelines on what they can accept and store in their respective search databases. When a fingerprint card is processed that cannot be retained the software insures that after processing the electronic images and alpha-numeric data are not retained in the search database. Not all states adhere to these standards and in some situations non-criminal cards after processing are to the submitting agency, the electronic images and alpha-numeric information are stored in the search database and become part of the fingerprint searche database. I’m sure if the legislature required the card be returned, their intent would be the electronic copies of fingerprint images and alpha-numeric information be destroyed.The questions that this brings up are:
1) A latent print is identified to a fingerprint that there is no state statute requiring the state to store the print in the search database, will the court accept the print or toss the evidence?
2) An error occurs and a criminal history is associated with the non-criminal history, that should have been returned, is the state liable ?

Lets look at the fingerprint images and how they are stored in the search database. The images stored could be:
A) the original fingerprint event creating the record.
B) a composite image, the search iamges are created from the best images from multiple cards.
C) All the fingerprint cards that come in are stored are stored in the search database.
Just to add a little more diversity to the database search fingerprint images they can be stored at 500ppi, 1000ppi or a combination at both resolutions.Lets look at how the images are stored:
A) The FBI database uses the originating fingerprint card, the 1st. event. If subsequent cards have better quality images they update the new minutiae (points of identification used in the search), a good way to process.
B) The composite image database is used by many states and if done properly with the policies and procedures can work well, but it is more prone to error than the other methods. If for example you replace a image in the search database from a non-retainable card.
C) The systems that have all the cards available in the search database, probably the best way to store the search images but there would be cost considerations.No matter what system is used the database search images should periodically be reconciled, as part of the system regular maintenance, it is just as critical as backing up the system.

I also will talk about the effect of multiple resolution systems and especially the ones with a composite.The resolution questions will probably be in the next blog.