Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) - Clear Guide

In this review of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) by Peter Komarinski, the book is presented as a clear, accessible guide for criminal justice professionals and students who need a practical overview of fingerprint identification workflows. The single biggest reason to buy is its stepbystep treatment of how fingerprint images are captured, processed and used to produce a rapsheet, explained in plain language that avoids technical jargon. This review explains who will benefit most and what limitations to expect.

Key Features

• Comprehensive process overview: Presents the full workflow from initial capture of finger images to the production of a rapsheet so readers understand the entire identification chain.
• Latent print focus: Examines how crime scene or latent prints are handled and identified, giving useful context for forensic practice.
• Accessible language: Uses simple, clear terms to describe technical steps, making the material approachable for nontechnical administrators and students.
• Contextualizes automation: Describes automated fingerprint identification alongside its role in other biometric systems to show broader implications.
• Policy and limits: Outlines known limitations and advantages of AFIS for criminal justice administrators and policy makers considering system use.

Who It's For

This book is best suited to criminal justice administrators, policy makers, forensic science students and instructors who need a concise, practical reference to how AFIS operates and how fingerprint evidence moves from scene to record. Its clear prose makes it useful as a classroom supplement or a managerial briefing document.

Readers seeking deep technical guidance on algorithm design, software implementation or detailed biometric engineering should look elsewhere; the text is a synopsis rather than a developer manual, and it focuses on process and application rather than code or system internals.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a complete, readable explanation of the fingerprint identification process from capture to rapsheet.
• Explores latent print handling in a way that is practical for forensic workflows.
• Frames automated fingerprint identification within broader biometric uses, aiding policy discussion.

Cons

• Not a technical manual for software developers or biometric engineers, so it lacks implementation detail.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems is a compact, practical reference for anyone who needs a clear understanding of how fingerprint identification works in criminal justice settings. It offers solid value to administrators and students by explaining process, limitations and policy implications without unnecessary technical depth, making it a good buy for nontechnical readers who want dependable background knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book explain how AFIS creates a rapsheet?
Yes. The book walks through the steps from initial capture of finger images to the production of a rapsheet, described in straightforward language.

Is it suitable for biometric system developers?
No. It is a synopsis focused on process and policy rather than detailed software or algorithmic implementation for developers.

Will it help administrators evaluate AFIS adoption?
Yes. It outlines known advantages and limitations, making it useful for decision makers and policy formulation.