Patent ID: 7155039

Claim:
A method for automated print identification, said method comprising the steps of: providing an active search record comprising a plurality of prints; arranging the prints of said active search record according to print quality to generate a filtered active file record database comprising a plurality of active file records; providing said filtered active file record database as the input to a match algorithm; detecting a print correlation corresponding to a print contained in said filtered active file record database; determining if a print match has been made; determining the strength of a match if a print match has been made; determining whether the active search record is to be added into the filtered active file record database; and determining whether at least one matched active file record is to be modified; and the method further comprising at least one of the steps of: detecting missing fingerprints in accordance with at least one of image dynamic range and match score; detecting whether a print is at least one of registered in a wrong box or registered in a wrong sequence in accordance with match score; detecting whether a print registers as a duplicate in accordance with match score; at least one of replacing and substituting a print in accordance with at least one of print quality and match score; grading each print in accordance with at least one of print quality and match score between a slap print and a corresponding roll print; selecting the best quality prints from an active search record and identified active file records to form said active file record; selecting the best quality prints from at least one of slap prints and rolled prints to form said active search record; linking an active file record to an identity file records via a link list; and compiling an active file record for at least a subset of best quality prints from said link list corresponding to substantially similar identity file records.