The MIQR describes the live-scan equipment testing that will be 

conducted and the criteria that live-scan cards must meet before a 

vendor’s electronically produced (live-scan) fingerprint cards will be 

approved by FBI for retention in their files. On February 26, 1991, the 

FBI approved the first live-scan equipment for producing fingerprin

cards that would be retained in the FBI files. In a separate but related 

effort the NIST is coordinating the development of a standard for the 

interchange of fingerprint information. The standard is being developed for the exchange of electronic fingerprint images and other information between agencies. 

The IAI participated in the development of the MIQR. At the 73rd 

Annual Educational Conference of the IAI held July 3-8, 1988, in 

Sacramento, California, the AFIS Sub-Committee reviewed the status 

of live-scan technology and issued a position statement on live-scan 

electronically produced fingerprint images. The position statement was 

published in the Journal, Volume 38, Number 6, 1988, p 310. Two key 

points made in the position statement were, 

“The sub-committee does not, at this time, recommend the use 

of live-scan electronically produced ten print cards as a replacement for inked fingerprint cards.” 

“To assist and encourage the continued research and development of this technology, the FBI is developing image quality 

standards for their identification division. These are intended 

to eventually permit live-scan electronically produced fingerprint images to be acceptable as replacements for inked fingerprint cards for all identification purposes. This standard is 

intended to provide the various vendors with detailed technical requirements to aid and assist them in producing systems 

that will yield acceptable images. The AFIS Sub-Committee 

endorses and supports this objective.” 

The FBI published the requirements contained in the MIQR in the 

Journal, 39(3), 1989, pp 193-203. The MIQR was published for all IAI 

members and subscribers to review and direct any questions or comments to the FBI. Subsequently, the FBI published the revised MIQR 

in the Journal, 41(3), 1991, pp 204-209. 

The IAI took exception to the revised MIQR. In a letter to Mr

William S. Sessions, Director of the FBI, dated December 23, 1991, the 

J. Forensic Ident. 

630 /43 (6), 1993 
The MIQR describes the live-scan equipment testing that will 

conducted and the criteria that live-scan cards must meet befor

vendor’s electronically produced (live-scan) fingerprint cards will 

approved by FBI for retention in their files. On February 26, 1991, 

FBI approved the first live-scan equipment for producing fingerp

cards that would be retained in the FBI files. In a separate but rela

effort the NIST is coordinating the development of a standard for 

interchange of fingerprint information. The standard is being de

oped for the exchange of electronic fingerprint images and other in

mation between agencies.

The IAI participated in the development of the MIQR. At the 7

Annual Educational Conference of the IAI held July 3-8, 1988

Sacramento, California, the AFIS Sub-Committee reviewed the sta

of live-scan technology and issued a position statement on live-s

electronically produced fingerprint images. The position statement 

published in the Journal, Volume 38, Number 6, 1988, p 310. Two 

points made in the position statement were,

“The sub-committee does not, at this time, recommend the use

of live-scan electronically produced ten print cards as a replacement for inked fingerprint cards.”

“To assist and encourage the continued research and development of this technology, the FBI is developing image quality

standards for their identification division. These are intended

to eventually permit live-scan electronically produced fingerprint images to be acceptable as replacements for inked fingerprint cards for all identification purposes. This standard is

intended to provide the various vendors with detailed technical requirements to aid and assist them in producing systems

that will yield acceptable images. The AFIS Sub-Committee

endorses and supports this objective.”

The FBI published the requirements contained in the MIQR in 

Journal, 39(3), 1989, pp 193-203. The MIQR was published for all 

members and subscribers to review and direct any questions or co

ments to the FBI. Subsequently, the FBI published the revised MI

in the Journal, 41(3), 1991, pp 204-209.

The IAI took exception to the revised MIQR. In a letter to 

William S. Sessions, Director of the FBI, dated December 23, 1991, 

J. Forensic Ident.

630 /43 (6), 1993
position statement on live-scan was issued. The committee felt th

1988 position of not accepting live-scan fingerprint cards as a replace

ment for the inked fingerprint cards should be reviewed. A propose

revised position paper was developed and presented to the membership

as described below. 

During the conference, four sessions were devoted to live-scan an

electronic fingerprint images. Topics discussed were Electronic Ten

Print Image Quality for Comparison and Identification; (FBI) Statu

Report; Live-Scan Testing by the FBI; Latent Print Fingerprint Com

parisons Using Live-Scan Fingerprints (FBI); Status Report on Live

Scan Electronic Fingerprint Recording (AFIS Sub-Committee); an

Live-Scan Electronic Fingerprint Recording - Panel Discussion (AFIS 

Sub-Committee and FBI). At the end of the panel discussion, th

proposed new IAI position was presented to the delegates in atten

dance. The contents of the position statement were discussed and 

vote of the delegates was taken to approve or disapprove the revise

position. The vote of the informed delegates concluded 100 vote

to accept the position statement and 1 vote to reject the position state

ment. The position statement was adopted and published in the Jour

nal, 41(5), 1991, pp 368-371. The position statement approves the FB

standards for live-scan equipment and recognizes that live-scan finger

print cards produced by FBI-approved live-scan equipment can suc

cessfully be used for the majority of forensic fingerprint identificatio

functions. 

The position statement also contained the IAI position on electroni

images: 

“The IAI accepts the concept of transmitting electronic fingerprint images captured at a minimum 500 pixels per inch and 

256 levels of grey for processing and retention in electronic 

fingerprint database files.” 

The position further states that: 

“The IAI recognizes that data transmissions and storage costs 

can be minimized by the use of data compression and decompression algorithms, but urges caution to insure that the quality of the resulting images does not adversely affect their use 

for forensic fingerprint identification functions.” 

J. Forensic Ident. 

632 /43 (6), 1993 
position statement on live-scan was issued. The committee felt 

1988 position of not accepting live-scan fingerprint cards as a rep

ment for the inked fingerprint cards should be reviewed. A prop

revised position paper was developed and presented to the member

as described below.

During the conference, four sessions were devoted to live-scan 

electronic fingerprint images. Topics discussed were Electronic T

Print Image Quality for Comparison and Identification; (FBI) St

Report; Live-Scan Testing by the FBI; Latent Print Fingerprint C

parisons Using Live-Scan Fingerprints (FBI); Status Report on L

Scan Electronic Fingerprint Recording (AFIS Sub-Committee); 

Live-Scan Electronic Fingerprint Recording - Panel Discussion (A

Sub-Committee and FBI). At the end of the panel discussion, 

proposed new IAI position was presented to the delegates in a

dance. The contents of the position statement were discussed an

vote of the delegates was taken to approve or disapprove the rev

position. The vote of the informed delegates concluded with 100 v

to accept the position statement and 1 vote to reject the position s

ment. The position statement was adopted and published in the Jo

nal, 41(5), 1991, pp 368-371. The position statement approves the 

standards for live-scan equipment and recognizes that live-scan fin

print cards produced by FBI-approved live-scan equipment can 

cessfully be used for the majority of forensic fingerprint identific

functions.

The position statement also contained the IAI

images:

“The IAI accepts the concept of transmitting

position on electr

electronic fingerprint images captured at a minimum 500 pixels per inch and

256 levels of grey for processing and retention in electronic

fingerprint database files.”

The position further states that:

“The IAI recognizes that data transmissions and storage costs

can be minimized by the use of data compression and decompression algorithms, but urges caution to insure that the quality of the resulting images does not adversely affect their use

for forensic fingerprint identification functions.”

J. Forensic Ident.

632 /43 (6), 1993
“Resolution: Line-pairs and What They Mean” 41(5), 1991, 

pp 333-343. 

“FingerprintI mageExchangeS tandard’’4 2(2), 1991,pp129-

130. 

“Reporto ntheNISTF ingerprintW orkshop’’4 1(l), 1991, pp 

11-15. 

“A Preliminary Minutiae Accuracy Analysis of Electronic 

Fingerprint Recording” 38(6), 1988, pp 285-291. 

Mr. Watling’s and Mr. Evans’ editorial further states, “Youmigh

assume that the law enforcement agencies involved, and certainly the 

IAI, would adequately represent the field of fingerprint identification

and therefore would strive for the highest possible quality standards

This has not been so.” The editorial goes on to state, “The IAI did no

even have a representative at the fourth and final meeting of the NIST 

Workshop for the Interchange of Fingerprint Information. At the three 

previous meetings, representatives for the IAI did hold discussion 

groups and did present their dissenting view, but this was ineffective.” 

The editorial continues to state that, “Many individuals, agencies and 

groups, including the IAI, failed to speak adequately or effectively for 

acceptable standards.” 

There were only three NIST workshops for the interchange of fingerprint information. There was a fourth meeting wherein vendors

engineers, etc. were invited to discuss the technical operation of the 

proposed WSQ compression algorithm. This meeting pertained to the 

technical implementation of the WSQ algorithm and was not attended 

by representatives of the IAI. The IAI representatives had already been 

appointed to the compression/decompression image committee which 

was to deal with the images resulting from the WSQ implementation. 

The three NIST workshops held September 25-27, 1990, May 15-17

1991, and March 4-6, 1992, were all attended by a minimum of three 

IAI representatives. The IAI representatives present were also repre

senting their respective agencies. The discussions conducted at the 

workshops were, at times, lengthy, emotional, and frustrating. At the 

last workshop the IAI requested that the IAI be recognized as a group

that an IAI breakout session be scheduled as part of the workshop, and 

that time be provided at the general workshop session for the IAI to 

present a report. This report would reflect the breakout session topics 

that were discussed and their recommendations. The IAI breakou

session report would be included in the official minutes of the work

J. Forensic Ident. 

634 /43 (6), 1993 
“Resolution: Line-pairs and What They Mean” 41(5), 1991,

pp 333-343.

“FingerprintI mageExchangeS tandard’’4 2(2), 1991,pp129-

130.

“Reporto ntheNISTF ingerprintW orkshop’’4 1(l), 1991, pp

11-15.

“A Preliminary Minutiae Accuracy Analysis of Electronic

Fingerprint Recording” 38(6), 1988, pp 285-291.

Mr. Watling’s and Mr. Evans’ editorial further states, “Youm

assume that the law enforcement agencies involved, and certainly 

IAI, would adequately represent the field of fingerprint identificat

and therefore would strive for the highest possible quality standa

This has not been so.” The editorial goes on to state, “The IAI did 

even have a representative at the fourth and final meeting of the N

Workshop for the Interchange of Fingerprint Information. At the th

previous meetings, representatives for the IAI did hold discuss

groups and did present their dissenting view, but this was ineffectiv

The editorial continues to state that, “Many individuals, agencies 

groups, including the IAI, failed to speak adequately or effectively 

acceptable standards.”

There were only three NIST workshops for the interchange of 

gerprint information. There was a fourth meeting wherein vend

engineers, etc. were invited to discuss the technical operation of 

proposed WSQ compression algorithm. This meeting pertained to 

technical implementation of the WSQ algorithm and was not atten

by representatives of the IAI. The IAI representatives had already b

appointed to the compression/decompression image committee wh

was to deal with the images resulting from the WSQ implementation

The three NIST workshops held September 25-27, 1990, May 15

1991, and March 4-6, 1992, were all attended by a minimum of th

IAI representatives. The IAI representatives present were also rep

senting their respective agencies. The discussions conducted at 

workshops were, at times, lengthy, emotional, and frustrating. At 

last workshop the IAI requested that the IAI be recognized as a gro

that an IAI breakout session be scheduled as part of the workshop, 

that time be provided at the general workshop session for the IA

present a report. This report would reflect the breakout session top

that were discussed and their recommendations. The IAI break

session report would be included in the official minutes of the wo

J. Forensic Ident.

634 /43 (6), 1993
The IAI feels that the immediate task is the electronic fingerprint 

image test. As stated, the IAI has adopted the position that the 500 

pixels per inch by 256 levels of grey for electronic fingerprint images is 

acceptable for the majority of forensic comparisons and identifications. The current concern surrounds the WSQ compression/decompression setting. There are several opinions, to say the least, on this 

issue. 

The AFIS Subcommittee and live scan vendors have stated that a 

compression ratio of 10 or 15:1 is the maximum compression that an 

electronic fingerprint image can withstand before a deprivation or modification of information is experienced. The FBI is recommending a 

compression of 20:1. There are differences of opinions from laten

print examiners. Even those individuals who have never seen an electronic fingerprint image are voicing their opinions. 

The IAI intends to conduct this test of the WSQ compression/decompression algorithm to determine which ratio will provide an electronic image that is acceptable for forensic applications. To this end the 

IAI will determine what we feel is the acceptable compression/decompression setting for the purpose of forensic comparisons. 

The FBI will be providing the IAI with the WSQ algorithm a

settings of 5, 10, 15 and 20:1, enabling us to conduct the required test

The FBI has agreed to provide any equipment deemed necessary and 

not available at NIST. Upon the conclusion, the IAI will provide the 

FBI with the test results. 

I would like to thank Mr. Peter Higgins of the FBI for his overwhelming response and eagerness to cooperate, and for providing support for this IAI project. 

Because of the impact that live-scan, AFIS, and IAFIS will have on 

our future, the Board of Directors voted to make the AFIS Subcommittee a standing Committee effective January 1, 1994. I would like to 

acknowledge the AFIS Subcommittee whose members prepared the 

background information for this response.