Fingerprinting is probably the oldest form of biometrics, which refers to the process of identifying people through their unique physical characteristics. A fingerprint is made up of the pattern of ridges (papillary ridges) on a person's fingertips. Each fingerprint is unique, its pattern never changes, and fingerprints can be classified according to general types. These three characteristics make fingerprinting an infallible method of identification. By studying the number and sequence of the ridges in the fingerprint patterns, fingerprint specialists can positively match an individual to a set of prints. With over 200 million fingerprints on record at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), matching fingerprints is not an easy job. Categorizing of fingerprint patterns makes the matching process easier. There are three general types: whorl, arch, and loop. Eight subcategories have also been developed to define the different combinations these general patterns can create. Fingerprints are especially helpful in...