A Computer Oriented Single Fingerprint Identification System

A procedure is described for computing a set of numerical descriptors that identify a single fingerprint.The procedure starts with the X and Y coordinates and the individual directions of the minutiae (ridge endings and bifurcations) of a fingerprint impression.Sets of descriptors are computed corresponding to groups or constellations of these minutiae.Descriptors corresponding to various fingerprint impressions are stored on magnetic tape.A fragment of a fingerprint impression such as occurs in a latent fingerprint may also be used.A second computer program reads the descriptors corresponding to two different fingerprint impressions from magnetic tape.A score is computed that indicates how well the two impressions match. Preliminary experimental results suggest that this procedure might be suitable as a basis for a single-fingerprint classification system.(Author).