Optical fingerprinting system

An optical fingerprinting system includes an optics/processor unit, a video monitor, a data terminal, and a printer. The optics/processor unit includes a slap print prism for providing slap fingerprint images, and a plurality of individual finger prisms having differently sized finger-receiving grooves for providing individual fingerprint images. Slap/finger image selection optics selectively propagate fingerprint images from one of the individual finger prisms or slap print prism to a video camera. A video monitor is coupled to the camera, and provides a real-time display of the fingerprints being imaged. When a desired fingerprint image is observed on the monitor, an appropriate key of a key pad on the optics/processor unit is actuated and digital data characteristic of this image stored in memory. Following this procedure, data characteristic of all ten individual fingerprints and slap prints of both hands is stored. Demographic information of the person being fingerprinted is entered through the data terminal. The demographic information and fingerprint images can be printed at appropriate locations on a standard booking or applicant card.