MSU Technology Detects When Fingerprints Have Been Altered

Michigan State researchers break ground in fingerprint technology (StateNews.com)

“Because of (the) increasing use of fingerprints at (international borders), many individuals who have prior criminal records purposefully alter their fingerprints so that they don’t get matched to their prior fingerprints in the databases,” Jain said.

The most common methods to alter fingerprints are either by biting them, cutting down the center of a finger or burning them off — similar to the way Will Smith’s character does in the movie “Men In Black,” he said.

The Michigan State technology detects altered fingerprints. Knowing that a fingerprint has been altered is valuable information. An investigator that receives a "No Match" result but a note that the fingerprints may have been altered, will be in a much better position than an investigator who simply received a "No Match" result.