NCJ Number
188192
Date Published
March 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This "Information Letter" issued by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division provides users of the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) with information to assist them in successfully processing fingerprints in the IAFIS.
Abstract
The paper first lists, describes, and explains the five most common reasons for the IAFIS' rejection of a fingerprint sample. In the order of frequency, rejections are due to an associated charge that is too minor to be included in the IAFIS' criterion offenses; the quality of the fingerprint characteristics is too low for the IAFIS to read the card; erroneous or incomplete fingerprint(s) on the images; fingerprint pattern(s) are not discernible; and a quality-control error occurs. This Information Letter also provides instructions to ensure that a fingerprint submission with an amputation is processed successfully. Another section of the "Letter" presents instructions for submitting wanted person notices to the National Crime Information Center for inclusion on the criminal history record generated after receipt of a subsequent fingerprint submission. In addition, information is provided on a recent change in FBI policy concerning the processing of fingerprint submissions that contain an image with a possible amputation that has minutia above the first crease. Previously, the FBI rejected these submissions, but it now processes them. Also explained is a policy change regarding the use of highlighter on paper fingerprint cards; such cards will be rejected and returned to the contributing agency.