Method and apparatus for discriminating latent fingerprint optical fingerprint input apparatus

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for discriminating a latent fingerprint that can prevent a fingerprint recognition apparatus from mis-recognizing a latent fingerprint as a fingerprint of a biomass due to a fingerprint residual on an imaging surface of an optical fingerprint input apparatus. According to the present invention. there is provided backlight control means for controlling switching on and off of the backlight; image acquisition means for acquiring a fingerprint image without illuminating the backlight onto the imaging surface: fingerprint detection means for detecting an existence of a fingerprint from the image acquired by the image acquisition means; and fingerprint discriminating means for discriminating that the fingerprint if detected by the fingerprint detection means, is a latent fingerprint detected due to an external light.