Originally Posted by roundtheworld
here is a few reasons why this is not working...
1) not the finger prints are compared but the computer compares the knots of the finger prints. It relies on a program, and programs are not perfect.
Only 99.9% accurate. This is well proven technology.
2) computers can only track a very limited number of markes on prints, making ID very unreliable
Somebody better tell the FBI, because they've been doing fingerprint matches by computer for more than a decade.
But the accuracy goes to 99.9% when you check 10 digits, which is presumably why they're going to a 10 digit system instead of the 2 they presently capture.
3) inteligence in the US is a oxymoron, cooperation with overseas services even worse, so the "database" is at best patchy
I'll settle for just the database of fingerprints lifted from the Afghan training camps and safehouses lifted by the FBI and US Army.
4) 10% of the population have changing / not useful finger prints due to manual labor
So we only get 90% of them? Sounds good to me.
5) changing fingerprints can be done on a PC and laserprinter
6) concealing fingerprints is even easier...
Not while you're standing in front of a customs officer watching you have the print captured.