Fingerprints are important pieces of evidence in a crime scene. Traces of these prints are thoroughly searched for and carefully collected for processing. Forensic detectives take this information and use these fingerprints to find out the truth about the crime committed. And since fingerprints are pretty much the most reliable human identification marks, finding answers would be easier with the help of these fingerprints.

Fingerprints are left on surfaces people touch because of the oils present in the skin. Fingertips leave imprints on surfaces with these oils, and forensic science uses special powders that adhere to these oils to be able to collect the prints with clear tape. These collected prints are then taken to the lab for processing.

Fingerprints are made up of patterns of whorls and lines, and each person's fingerprint is unique and distinct, identifies him or her easily. But there are incidents when the fingerprints collected are degraded, making these difficult to use as evidence. But technology has come up with machines and procedures that would allow the processing of these seemingly useless pieces of evidence.

Special gases can now be used to process these latent prints, and there are now computer software and programs that have been created and developed for the purpose of extracting and processing fingerprints, speeding up the investigation process.

Technology of criminal background checks

Criminal background checks for pre-employment purposes require fingerprints, and these were usually collected and filed as ink-rolled prints, but that process has proved to be messy and prints were sometimes obscured by smudges, making them unusable. But with the arrival of digital fingerprint scanning technology, criminal background checks and solving crimes have been made into a quick process, producing more accurate results. The digital scanning technology for fingerprints makes the record searches easier and more accessible. Electronic fingerprints are clearer representations, thus decreasing the chances of fingerprint card rejections (for criminal background checks), and further improving accuracy of finding fingerprint matches in the country's comprehensive criminal record databases.

This digital fingerprinting technology has made it easier for the government to create a huge and comprehensive criminal record database which investigators and state-authorized criminal background check agencies use to search for matches and results. This, in turn has made solving crime quicker and more efficient, reinforcing the work of law enforcement agencies, and strengthening the justice system.

Digital fingerprinting technology has made criminal background checks more accurate, making the results of these searches more reliable. The process has become quicker and the accuracy in details help potential employers in better evaluating their job applicants and therefore better securing their business. Technology and law enforcement now work hand in hand in making our communities safer and our lives better. Even now, more technologies are being created and developed to be able to further enhance the investigation process and help the criminal justice system. The combination of the simplest identifier, the fingerprint, and the latest technology and knowledge creates a strong and efficient tool in solving crime.