Fingerprint identification

Definition
Fingerprint identification has been used in law enforcement over the past 100 years and has become the de facto international standard for positively identifying individuals. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been using fingerprint identification since 1928. The first fingerprint recognition systems were used in law enforcement about four decades ago.

Source

 * GAO, Information Security: Challenges in Using Biometrics 14 (GAO-03-1137T) (Sept. 9, 2003) (full-text).