ALTERED FINGERPRINTS DETECTION AND ANALYSIS

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Definition of Biometrics
Automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristics. The technology used for identification of a user based on a physical or behavioral characteristic, such as a fingerprint, iris, face, voice or handwriting is called Biometrics.

A fingerprint in its narrow sense is an impression left by the friction ridges of a

human finger.

History of fingerprints

Human fingerprints have been discovered on a large number of archaeological artifacts and
historical items

In 1684, the English plant morphologist, Nehemiah Grew, published the first scientific paper
reporting his systematic study on the ridge, furrow, and pore structure

In 1788, a detailed description of the anatomical formations of fingerprints was made by

Mayer.

In 1823, Purkinji proposed the first fingerprint classification, which classified into nine
categories

In 1975, The FBI funded the development of fingerprint scanners

Fingerprint Recognition
Fingerprint recognition or fingerprint authentication refers to the automated method of verifying a match between two human fingerprints. Fingerprints are one of many forms of biometrics used to identify individuals and verify their identity. The analysis of fingerprints for matching purposes generally requires the comparison of several features of the print pattern. These include patterns, which are aggregate characteristics of ridges, and minutia points, which are unique features found within the patterns. It is also necessary to know the structure and properties of human skin in order to successfully employ some of the imaging technologies.

Fingerprint Patterns
Arch- The ridges enter from one side of the finger, rise in the centre forming an arc, and then exit the other side of the finger. Loop-The ridges enter from one side of a finger, form a curve, and then exit on that same side. Whorl-Ridges form circularly around a central point on the finger.
Arch Loop Whorl

Different Identification on Fingerprint

Crossover: two ridges cross each other Core: centre Bifurcation: ridge separates Ridge ending: end point Island: small ridge b/w two spaces Delta: space between ridges Pore: human pore

Fingerprint matching techniques

There are two categories of fingerprint matching techniques:

Minutiae-based: Minutiae-based techniques first find minutiae points and then map their relative placement on the finger.However this technique is not capable of dealing with bad quality images. Correlation based: The correlation-based method is able to overcome some of the difficulties of the minutiae-based approach. The correlation based fingerprint verification first selects appropriate templates in the primary fingerprint,uses template matching to locate them in the secondary print,and compares the template positions of both the fingerprints.

Two main technologies used to capture image of the fingerprint

Optical sensor use light refracted through a prism. An optical sensor based reader uses light to read and acquire fingerprint images. Optical sensors can be affected by a number of real life factors such as stray light, surface contamination or even prior fingerprint impressions present on the sensor surface. Hence it is essential to clean the fingerprint reader glass on a regular basis for optimal performance. Capacitive sensor detect voltage changes in skin between ridges and valleys. Capacitive sensors use electric current to sense a fingerprint and capture the image. As sensors apply a small voltage to the finger, a real fingerprint is required rather than a visual impression of it. This technique makes the fingerprint reader more reliable as it becomes harder to fake enrollment.

Image Processing
Capture the fingerprint images and process them through a series of image processing algorithms to obtain a clear unambiguous skeletal image of the original gray tone impression, clarifying smudged areas, removing extraneous artifacts and healing most scars, cuts and breaks

Advantage of Fingerprints
a. Very high accuracy. b. It is the most economical biometric user authentication technique. c. Easy to use. d. Small storage space required for the biometric template, reducing the size of the database memory required e. It is standardized.

Why are fingerprints unique? The answer is because development of fingerprints is both genetically and environmentally influenced. Within a basic pattern predetermined by our genes, fingerprints of each individual form in a way that is slightly different from anyone else. Even identical twins have unique fingerprints!

Fingerprint Alteration
The widespread deployment of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) in law enforcement and border control applications has heightened the need for ensuring that these systems are not compromised. While several issues related to fingerprint system security have been investigated, including the use of fake fingerprints for masquerading identity, the problem of fingerprint alteration or obfuscation has received very little attention. The problem involving altered fingerprints falls under a broader category of attacks known as biometric obfuscation. Obfuscation can be defined as a deliberate attempt by an individual to mask his identity from a biometric system by altering the biometric trait prior to its acquisition by the system. Fingerprint obfuscation refers to the deliberate alteration of the fingerprint pattern by an individual for the purpose of masking his identity.

Photographs of altered fingerprints. (a) Transplanted friction ridge skin from sole . (b) Fingers that have been bitten . (c) Fingers burnt by acid . (d) Stitched fingers.

Altered fingerprints, are real fingers that are used to conceal ones
identity in order to evade identification by a biometric system. Altered fingerprints are different from fake fingerprints. Why is detection of altered fingerprints needed? 1) Fingerprint-based biometric systems are much more widespread for large scale identification than any other biometric modality. 2) It is relatively easy to alter ones fingerprints using chemicals and abrasives compared to, say, ones iris or face, where a more elaborate surgical procedure may be necessary. 3) Mutilated fingerprints are being routinely encountered by law enforcement and immigration officials in several countries, thereby underscoring the urgency of finding a solution to this problem.

Types of Altered Fingerprints

1) Obliteration: Friction ridge pattern on fingertips can be obliterated by abrading, cutting, burning applying strong chemicals, and transplanting smooth skins. Further, factors such as skin diseases and side effects due to cancer drugs can also obliterate the fingertips. If the damage does not reach the generating layer in the epidermis, the skin will generate to the original pattern after a few months time. However if the damage is done to the generation layer, scar tissues instead of well defined ridge details, will replace the damaged area. If the affected finger area is small, automated matches are successfully matching the damaged fingerprints with original mated fingerprints.

2) Distortion: By using a plastic surgery friction ridge pattern converted into unusual ridge pattern. Some portion of skin are removed from the finger and grafted back in to different position resulting a unusual pattern as shown in fig below. As distorted images may have the sufficient image quality, it may pass the automated fingerprint identification system.

3)Imitation: Here the surgical procedure is performed in such a way that the altered finger prints appear as natural fingerprints. The surgery is made in large area of the fingertips. But if the area of alteration is small, it can easily defeat the AFIS. The main clue to detect the transplanted fingerprints is the presence of surgical scars.

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