Tenprint Fingerprint Certification Tenprint Fingerprint Technology & Automated Systems (AFIS) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'matcher score' or 'similarity score' in AFIS?
- It certifies that the fingerprints are a confirmed match
- It quantifies how similar two fingerprint impressions are for ranking candidates (Correct answer)
- It measures the ink density of the impression
- It indicates the examiner's confidence level
Correct answer: It quantifies how similar two fingerprint impressions are for ranking candidates
A similarity score ranks how closely two fingerprint impressions align algorithmically, helping examiners prioritize candidates for review.
Question 2: What is a 'false non-match' (FNM) in AFIS performance measurement?
- When AFIS incorrectly identifies two different people as the same
- When AFIS fails to return the correct mate in the candidate list for a genuine match (Correct answer)
- When a fingerprint card is rejected due to poor quality
- When a subject submits under a false name
Correct answer: When AFIS fails to return the correct mate in the candidate list for a genuine match
A false non-match occurs when AFIS fails to rank the true matching record high enough on the candidate list for a genuine same-finger pair.
Question 3: What is a 'false match' (FM) or 'false positive' in AFIS?
- When AFIS ranks an incorrect candidate as the top match for a genuine submission (Correct answer)
- When a card is rejected at intake
- When two cards from the same subject are enrolled as different people
- When the examiner misreads the candidate list
Correct answer: When AFIS ranks an incorrect candidate as the top match for a genuine submission
A false match (false positive) occurs when AFIS incorrectly ranks a non-matching record at the top of the candidate list.
Question 4: What technology do most modern live-scan devices use to capture fingerprint images?
- Optical frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) (Correct answer)
- Thermal sensors
- Ultraviolet fluorescence
- Acoustic wave sensing
Correct answer: Optical frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR)
Most live-scan devices use optical FTIR sensors where ridges contact the prism surface and break total internal reflection, creating an image.
Question 5: In AFIS, what is a 'duplicate check'?
- Verifying that the tenprint card has no smudged impressions
- Searching the database to determine if a subject is already enrolled under a different identity (Correct answer)
- Checking that all ten fingers are present on the card
- Running the same print through two separate matchers
Correct answer: Searching the database to determine if a subject is already enrolled under a different identity
A duplicate check searches the AFIS database to detect whether the same biometric identity exists under a different name or identifier.
Question 6: What FBI rap-sheet document is generated when a tenprint submission results in a match to a criminal record?
- IAFIS Notification
- Identity History Summary (IdHS) / Criminal History Record (CHR) (Correct answer)
- NCIC Hit Confirmation
- NGI Enrollment Certificate
Correct answer: Identity History Summary (IdHS) / Criminal History Record (CHR)
When a tenprint submission matches an existing criminal record, the FBI generates an Identity History Summary (rap sheet) returned to the submitting agency.
Tenprint Fingerprint Certification Tenprint Fingerprint Technology & Automated Systems (AFIS) 2
What is the purpose of a 'matcher score' or 'similarity score' in AFIS?