Your fingerprints are unique identifiers – no two people have the exact same fingerprints. That’s the premise behind all biometrics, whether you’re unlocking your phone with your thumbprint or you’re getting your fingerprints taken to obtain a criminal record check.
Unfortunately, various activities can cause wear, calluses, and other distortions to your fingerprints. When these distortions occur, your fingerprints may be rejected.
In this article, we’ll discuss what happens when your fingerprints get rejected, the most common causes of rejected fingerprints, and what you can do to reduce the risk that your fingerprints get rejected.
What happens when fingerprints are rejected?
There are two fail cases for fingerprints. The first (and most common) scenario is that you visit a fingerprinting agency like FASTCHECK to get your fingerprints taken. When fingerprints aren’t clear enough, our highly trained staff will be able to tell. We’ll ask you to try to scan your fingerprints again. If we can’t get a clear imprint of your fingerprints, we’ll send you home and give you instructions on how to rectify any issues that may be causing unclear prints.
The second fail case occurs when your prints are deemed acceptable by the fingerprinting agency but unacceptable by whatever government agency you’re sending the fingerprints to. In these cases, applications can be seriously delayed. This is the worst-case scenario, and though it happens very rarely, it’s a good idea to take steps to prevent it from happening at all.
That brings us to our next question: What are the risk factors for unclear fingerprints? Let’s find out.
Common causes of low-quality fingerprints
Any activities that build calluses, smooth your skin, or otherwise distort your fingerprints can increase the chances that your fingerprints get rejected. Here are a few of the most common causes of low-quality fingerprints:
- Frequent hand washing/frequently using hand sanitizer
- Activities that create calluses (playing certain instruments, rock climbing, weight-lifting, manual labour, etc.)
- Certain kinds of office work (typing, mailroom work, etc.)
- Exposure to certain chemicals (bleach, chlorine, etc.)
- Age – as you get older, fingerprints are harder to capture
- Genetic factors
Some of the factors can be controlled, while others cannot. And while we’re not going to tell you to use anti-aging cream on your fingertips 5 times a day for a week before your appointment, we will give you some tips that can help anyone improve their chances of recording high-quality fingerprints.
How to improve the quality of your fingerprints
Moisturize
We said we wouldn’t tell you to use anti-aging cream. That’s true, but you do need to use a moisturizing lotion. A lot of it. We recommend using moisturizing lotion at least 3 times a day before your appointment. If you can, use lotion every time you wash your hands – after you dry them, of course!
Do not, however, use moisturizer the day of your appointment, as it can distort your fingerprints.
Plan ahead
Give your fingerprints as much of a break as you can before your appointment, especially if you’re at high risk of having low-quality fingerprints. If you love rock climbing or gardening, take a break for at least 5 days – a week if you can manage it. Does your work expose you to common risk factors? Schedule your fingerprinting appointment after a weekend, before you go to work. Better yet, schedule it after a long weekend.
Start using lotion 5-7 days before your appointment. And let your hands rest for as long as possible – over a weekend is fine, over the course of a week is better still.
Find a fingerprinting agency with a great reputation
If your fingerprinting agency is still taking most of their fingerprints on ink pads, turn and run in the other direction. The most accurate fingerprinting services use digital scanning. Fingerprinting services that can’t detect low-quality fingerprints before sending them off tend to get bad reviews pretty quickly, so be sure to check reviews!
High-quality fingerprints can save you time and money
The steps we outlined above take some time – but not nearly as much time as having to reapply for a criminal record check. And when fingerprints are tied to immigration applications, getting them right can save you time, money, and headaches. We highly recommend following this guide! We hope it helps.
FAQs
It's recommended you moisturize your hands at least thrice daily. Use hand lotion every time you wash and dry your hands. However, avoid using hand moisturizer on the day of your fingerprint appointment.
How can you reduce the risk of fingerprints being rejected? ›
The most effective thing you can do to avoid having your fingerprints rejected is to moisturize using a high-quality lotion. Be sure to use lotion on your hands several times per day for up to a week leading up your fingerprint day. Avoid excessive washing and sanitizer use.
How can I improve my fingerprint detection? ›
Here are some tips to improve fingerprint recognition:
- Clean your fingers: Make sure your fingers are clean and dry before using the fingerprint reader. ...
- Position your finger correctly: When scanning your fingerprint, position your finger so that it covers the entire fingerprint sensor.
If necessary, hand lotion (we recommend the effective and oil-free Corn Huskers Lotion) can be used to improve the image quality, just make sure to wipe off any excess residue so it doesn't get stuck on the scanner.
What is the main reason that fingerprint cards are rejected? ›
The most common reason fingerprints are rejected is for the quality of the print. You must complete the reject request and reprint, if you do not your application will remain deficient, and you will not be licensed.
What happens if my fingerprints are rejected Uscis? ›
If your fingerprints are rejected by the FBI, the USCIS will notify you and schedule another appointment. You will not have to pay the fee again. If the FBI rejects your fingerprints twice, you may be asked to provide police clearances for each place you have lived in the past 5 years.
Why was my Live Scan rejected? ›
A Live Scan can be rejected either for poor fingerprint quality or data entry errors. Your employer or agency can find out what the reason was by emailing appagencyquestions@doj.ca.gov. You or your agency may also receive a rejection letter from the DOJ that states the reason for rejection.
Why is it hard to detect my fingerprint? ›
Fingerprints are harder to recognise when they're too dry. Please try again after you moisturise your hands with lotion or by pressing on the sensor a little harder. Taking your finger off the sensor too quickly could be a reason why your fingerprints are not recognised.
How do you prepare your hands for fingerprinting? ›
Soap and water are preferred; however, rubbing alcohol may be substituted. If hands are moist, wipe each finger with rubbing alcohol. If hands are dry or flaky use a small amount of hand lotion and wipe off any residue.
Why does my fingerprint keep failing? ›
* Moisture, lotions, sweat, oils, cuts, or dry skin might affect fingerprint recognition. Certain activities can also temporarily affect fingerprint recognition, including exercising, showering, swimming, cooking, or other conditions or changes that affect your fingerprint.
Aculon® Anti-Fingerprint coatings are able to significantly reduce/eliminate the visibility of smudges and fingerprints in addition to significantly improving the ease of cleaning.
Does rubbing alcohol remove fingerprints? ›
A 1:1 solution of water and rubbing alcohol can be used to remove fingerprints. Simply mix the solution in a bowl or spray bottle, then use it to dampen a microfiber cloth.
Can you use cocoa powder to lift fingerprints? ›
Sprinkle the cocoa powder onto the surface where the fingerprint is. 3. Using the small paintbrush, gently brush the powder to make the print appear.
What is the 17f 2 rule? ›
Q2: Section 17(f)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (15 USC 78q(f)(2)), and Exchange Rule 17f-2 thereunder, as amended, requires that a firm submit three sets of fingerprints if FBI results are returned as illegible.
How do you distort fingerprints? ›
Individuals cut down the middle of the fingertip, leaving a fairly straight cut on the fingerprint. In some instances an individual will pull the skin near the cut in different directions in an effort to generate an unusual fingerprint pattern when the fingertip heals.
Can some people not be fingerprinted? ›
Adermatoglyphia is an extremely rare genetic disorder that prevents the development of fingerprints. Five extended families worldwide are known to be affected by this condition.
How do people avoid leaving fingerprints behind? ›
In conclusion, nylon gloves are the perfect solution for preventing fingerprints.
What are some things that you think might decrease fingerprint evidence validity? ›
As with any laboratory procedure, there are a multitude of human factors that can influence the results of latent print analysis—examples include inadequate training, poor judgment, vision limitations, lack of sleep and stress.
What factors can affect fingerprints? ›
The intensity of the developed fingerprints is mainly dependant upon the amount of amino acids present in sweat in addition to other physical and environmental factors such as substrate, temperature, humidity etc.
What factors could affect taking a fingerprint? ›
In determining the most suitable method to be used, the condition of the surface, its structure (rough-smooth, absorbent-non-absorbent, etc.), the presence of residues affecting the fingerprint (oil, blood, etc.), the duration of the fingerprint on the surface and environmental factors (wetting, drying, etc.)
