Tenprint Fingerprint Certification Tenprint Fingerprint Technology & Automated Systems (AFIS) 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does AFIS stand for in the context of fingerprint technology?
- Automated Fingerprint Identification System (Correct answer)
- Advanced Forensic Imaging System
- Automated Federal Investigation System
- Accurate Fingerprint Index System
Correct answer: Automated Fingerprint Identification System
AFIS stands for Automated Fingerprint Identification System, which uses algorithms to search and match fingerprint records electronically.
Question 2: What is the FBI's national AFIS system called?
- CODIS
- NGI (Next Generation Identification) (Correct answer)
- IAFIS Classic
- NCIC Fingerprint Module
Correct answer: NGI (Next Generation Identification)
The FBI's national fingerprint system is called NGI (Next Generation Identification), which replaced the legacy IAFIS system.
Question 3: What type of features does AFIS software primarily use for fingerprint matching?
- Overall pattern shape (arch, loop, whorl)
- Minutiae points (ridge endings and bifurcations) (Correct answer)
- Pixel brightness values only
- Ink color differences
Correct answer: Minutiae points (ridge endings and bifurcations)
AFIS primarily matches fingerprints by comparing minutiae — the locations and directions of ridge endings and bifurcations.
Question 4: What is a 'candidate list' generated by AFIS?
- A list of subjects to be fingerprinted at an event
- A ranked list of potential matching records returned after a database search (Correct answer)
- A list of rejected fingerprint cards
- A list of examiners certified to use the system
Correct answer: A ranked list of potential matching records returned after a database search
After an AFIS search, a candidate list is generated ranking database records by similarity score for human examiner review.
Question 5: What is the difference between a ten-print search and a latent search in AFIS?
- Ten-print searches are manual; latent searches are automated
- Ten-print searches compare full rolled impressions against enrolled records; latent searches compare crime scene fragments (Correct answer)
- Ten-print searches are only used for criminal records; latent searches are for civil records
- There is no functional difference in modern AFIS
Correct answer: Ten-print searches compare full rolled impressions against enrolled records; latent searches compare crime scene fragments
Ten-print searches match full enrollment records against each other, while latent searches match partial crime scene impressions against the ten-print database.
Question 6: What does 'enrollment' mean in the context of an AFIS tenprint system?
- Training an examiner to use the AFIS terminal
- Adding a new subject's tenprint record into the database for future searching (Correct answer)
- Encoding classification data onto a physical card
- Submitting a latent print for comparison
Correct answer: Adding a new subject's tenprint record into the database for future searching
Enrollment is the process of adding a new subject's biometric data (tenprint impressions) into the AFIS database as a searchable record.
Tenprint Fingerprint Certification Tenprint Fingerprint Technology & Automated Systems (AFIS) 1
What does AFIS stand for in the context of fingerprint technology?