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Difference between AFIS and Biometric Fingerprint Systems
AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) and biometric fingerprint systems are used for fingerprint recognition and identification; however, they differ significantly in scope and functionality.
Read this article to find out more about AFIS and Biometric fingerprint systems and how they are different from each other.
What is AFIS?
AFIS stands for Automated Fingerprint Identification System. It is a computer-based biometric technology that automates fingerprint identification and comparison. The fundamental goal of AFIS is to store, search, retrieve, and analyses massive amounts of fingerprint data for identification and investigation reasons.
Law enforcement and forensic departments use AFIS to help solve crimes, identify suspects, and connect people to criminal records.
The AFIS process starts with the acquisition of fingerprint images from numerous sources, such as crime scenes, arrest records, and people with criminal histories. Fingerprint data is collected using fingerprint scanners, which are specialized scanning machines. These scanners take high-resolution images of an individual's unique ridges and patterns on their fingertips.
After collecting the fingerprint images, they are entered into the AFIS database. The technology captures distinguishing information from fingerprints during enrollment and turns it into mathematical representations known as fingerprint templates. These templates are used to store and compare data efficiently.
When a new fingerprint, such as a latent fingerprint discovered at a crime scene needs to be identified, AFIS searches its database of enrolled fingerprint templates. The matching method involves comparing the features of the unknown fingerprint to the templates that have been previously saved. AFIS uses advanced algorithms to identify potential matches based on similarity scores.
Applications of AFIS
Criminal Identification − By matching latent fingerprints found at crime scenes to a database of known criminals, AFIS assists law enforcement authorities in identifying suspects.
Background Checks − To identify people with criminal histories, AFIS is used for background checks in employment and other contexts.
Investigative Tool − By matching fingerprints from several crime scenes, AFIS assists in connecting suspects to multiple crimes.
What are Biometric Fingerprint Systems?
A biometric fingerprint system is a technology that uses an individual's fingerprints' unique physical properties for identification and authentication. Because of its great accuracy and ease, fingerprint identification is one of the most extensively utilized biometric modalities.
Biometric fingerprint systems use fingerprint patterns to validate a person's identity or give access to certain resources.
The process begins with the collection of an individual's fingerprint data. This is usually accomplished with the help of a fingerprint scanner, which may be implemented into a variety of devices such as cellphones, computers, access control systems, and time and attendance devices. The scanner detects the ridges and valleys on the person's fingers, generating a digital image or template of their unique fingerprint features.
After capturing the fingerprint data, it is entered into the biometric system. During enrollment, the system extracts unique fingerprint features such as ridge ends, bifurcations, and minutiae points. These characteristics are transformed into a mathematical template that serves as a condensed representation of the individual's fingerprint.
When a person tries to use the biometric fingerprint system to authenticate themselves, the system collects their fingerprint again and turns it into a template for comparison. Using advanced algorithms, the template is then compared to the enrolled templates in the database. To determine the degree of similarity between the two templates, the algorithm searches for similarities and computes a matching score.
Applications of Biometric Fingerprint Systems
Access Control − Biometric fingerprint systems are commonly used to regulate access to buildings, rooms, computers, and other restricted places.
Time and Attendance Tracking − Many businesses utilize biometric fingerprint technology to precisely record employee attendance and eliminate buddy punching (one person checking in for another).
Mobile Devices − Smartphones and tablets frequently have fingerprint sensors for unlocking the device and boosting mobile application security.
Banking and Financial Transactions − For safe access to accounts and transactions, certain banking applications use fingerprint authentication.
Difference between AFIS and Biometric fingerprint systems
The following table highlights the major differences between AFIS and Biometric fingerprint systems −
Characteristics |
AFIS |
Biometric fingerprint systems |
|---|---|---|
Data Collection |
Captures fingerprint images from crime scenes and individuals with criminal records |
Captures fingerprint data from users for verification and authentication |
Matching Process |
Searches for potential matches in the database of known criminals |
Compares the presented fingerprint against enrolled templates for verification |
Database Size |
Large-scale, storing millions of fingerprint records |
Smaller-scale, local storage for individual devices or organizations |
Enrollment Process |
Fingerprint data is enrolled and converted into templates for identification |
Fingerprint data is enrolled, and distinctive features are extracted for matching |
Applications |
Criminal investigation, background checks, missing persons identification |
Access control, time and attendance tracking, mobile devices, identity verification |
Expert Involvement |
Human experts are required to verify and confirm matches. |
Automated process with minimal human involvement for verification |
Spoofing Vulnerability |
Less concerned with spoofing attacks in criminal investigation |
May be susceptible to spoofing attacks and requires anti-spoofing measures |
Use Cases |
Solving crimes, linking suspects, criminal background checks |
Access control in buildings, mobile device unlocking, time tracking in organizations |
Conclusion
In conclusion, AFIS is a specialized technology used largely by law enforcement organizations for criminal identification and investigation, utilizing large-scale fingerprint databases.
Biometric fingerprint systems are more versatile and serve a broader range of applications, providing individual identification and authentication in a variety of circumstances, frequently with smaller-scale databases.
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