Ink Fingerprinting

How to take Identification, Booking & Licensing Fingerprints by a Florida Private Investigator

Procedures on taking booking fingerprints
Professor J.M Gaspar, B.S. , M.S. MMB, CST, CFE, Florida Private Investigator

The following procedure will be used when taking fingerprints.

1. Ask the subject to remove their jewelry.
2. Start with clean hands. Both you and the subject should thoroughly wash and dry your hands before starting this process to eliminate the possibility of transferring dirt, lint, lotion, body oil, or dirt particles to the fingerprint card. Check the subject’s hands for anything that might interfere with the print.
3. Prepare the fingerprint cards before rolling fingerprints. Complete the information about the subject in black ink on the top portion of the card. Record the OBTS number if applicable. Have the subject and the Deputy sign the appropriate areas. Identify any deformities, missing digits, or identifying marks and make a notation on the card in the appropriate block. Verify the subject’s identification with a photo ID card, or NEFEC information. Place the fingerprint card on a flat surface or in a fingerprint cardholder in front of the person you plan to begin fingerprinting.
4. If you are using an ink pad, place the ink pad next to the card. Make sure that the ink pad has an ample supply of ink before beginning. If you are using pre-inked pads, insure that there is ink available for ink transfer to the fingers. If you are using a glass inking slab, make sure that the slab is clean and dry. Roll the ink over the inking slab, being careful to distribute the ink evenly. There should be a light coat of ink evenly distributed on the ink pad surface. Caution: too much ink will cause smudges and unacceptable fingerprints.
5. Place yourself and the subject in a position that makes the printing process easier, and supports good officer safety. If you are right-handed, it may be preferable to position yourself to the right of the subject. Procedures on taking booking fingerprints Professor J.M Gaspar, B.S. , M.S. MMB, CST , CFE
6. To make the inked impression, take hold of the subject’s right hand and begin with the appropriate finger indicated on your print card. Fingerprint the subject following the order indicated on the card. Holding the finger, press the fingertip just past the first joint straight down on the ink pad, and then carefully roll the finger from side to side, fingernail to fingernail, in the ink. Insure that there is ink on the top portion of the finger. Then transfer the fingerprint to the card by rolling from nail to nail, rolling process onto the card in the appropriate location. Print one finger at a time. DO NOT ROLL BACK AND FORTH ON THE FINGERPRINT CARD. Repeat until all 10 fingertips have been printed.
7. Continue with the printing process by taking simultaneous impressions. Ink the left four fingerprints and then the thumbs simultaneously by placing all four fingers side by side on the inking surface, and then transfer the prints to the fingerprint card by pressing all four fingers simultaneously onto the appropriate space. Repeat the process for the right hand, and then take impressions of each thumb.
8. Air-dry the prints. Check the identifying information recorded on the top of the card to make sure it is complete. Do not forget to include your name and the case number on the card
9. Provide appropriate cleaning supplies, such as cleaner and towels or hand wipes, and instruct the subject to clean their hands to remove the ink from hands and nails.