Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

Re: Fringerprinting

There is a nation-wide system called AFIS � the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, which uses a small scanner to read and record a person�s fingerprints. This system uses biometrics to digitally map points in each print. Ink prints can be also scanned into the AFIS database. Since your prints were taken in ink, I doubt they will be automatically added into AFIS. However, if your prints are later analyzed and converted into �minutiae points� or using a different method, they are �correlated,� a numeric code will be placed on your prints. This code is unique, as it will describe only your prints. These codes are sometimes entered into the NCIC, a nationwide crime background / identification computer system, and just like AFIS, are used for nation-wide ID purposes.