Wisconsin Department of Justice Identification Manual - Imprimus ...

Technical Returns
Inked and/or scanned fingerprint impressions may be technically unacceptable for
search and retention in the state's AFIS.
Individual finger blocks which have been circled on the fingerprint card(s)
correspond to the checked reasons on the Fingerprint Card Return Form DJ-LE-251,
because of one or more of the various reasons that are discussed in the following.
Ink was unevenly distributed
Cause:
Solutions:
Dirty plate, improperly inked plate, unclean fingers, perspiring fingers
The plate should be cleaned to prevent a build-up of the ink, and particles of
lint and dust.
A thin, even coating of ink on the plate is necessary to obtain clear, distinct
finger impressions.
The fingers of the person fingerprinted should be clean before fingerprinting.
Excessive perspiration will result in the failure of ink to adhere properly to
the tips of the fingers. Wiping each finger with alcohol or other drying agent
before inking and printing will reduce the amount of perspiration.
Fingers not fully rolled
Causes:
Failure to roll the finger from one side to the other (nail to nail) and the bulb of
the finger from tip to joint on the inking plate.
Failure to completely roll the inked finger on the fingerprint card
Solution: Ink entire finger from side to side by rolling it from one side of the fingernail to
the other; print in the same manner--nail to nail.
Too much ink
Cause:
Solutions:
Insufficient ink
Causes:
Solution:
Over inking of the plate, or excessive pressure in the printing process
Only a small amount of ink with adequate rolling will produce a thin even
film on the plate.
Pressing the fingers too hard on the inking plate, or when imprinting on the
card will obliterate or obscure the ridges.
Not re-rolling inked plate, or inking a finger in the identical spot on the plate
where a previous inking just took place
Re-roll or redistribute ink into a thin, even film on the inking plate after it has
been used -- never ink a finger by rolling it over an area which was used to ink
another finger.
Wisconsin Department of Justice Identification Manual Special Forms • 58