2. How Does it Work?  AFIS = Automated Fingerprint Identification System  The fingerprint is scanned into the system.  The fingerprint type is entered.  The minutiae are plotted.  AFIS assigns a math formula based on the X and Y axis location of the minutiae and searches for prints with similar formulas.  Fingerprints with similar X and Y coordinates are compared by a Fingerprint Examiner who determines if there is a positive identification.

3. Facts  Fingerprint matches are not carried out in a matter of seconds. Some results can come back in a few hours.  Provides digital automated fingerprint searches, latent searches, electronic storage of photo files, and electronic exchange of results.  Operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Contains fingerprints and criminal histories for more than 47 million people.  Data is submitted voluntarily by local, state, and federal agencies.  Federal and state agencies do not pool their data.