Studies of fingerprint imaging systems in social service applications

Summary form only given. Fingerprint imaging has historically only been used in law enforcement; however, advances in technology in the late 1980s began to make fingerprint imaging possible for other applications. With the high potential for multiple case fraud due to the ease in obtaining false identification documents, social service applications seemed to be the a logical choice for fingerprint imaging. Eight States require applicants for welfare in at least some counties to submit to fingerprint imaging. Three States have such systems pending and ten States are in the early planning or legislative stages. The purpose of these programs is to eliminate duplicate benefits, to deter fraud and to restore the public's confidence in the welfare system. Several pilot projects have issued reports on preliminary costs and benefits. At best, the available cost/benefit studies are difficult to compare or generalize owing to different methodologies and are, in several cases, inconclusive with regard to measurable societal benefit. A comprehensive study to develop a common methodology for assessing the costs and benefits of fingerprint imaging systems is needed. Fingerprint imaging appears to be effective technically, but the business case requires a careful, systematic and controlled study.