Reconstructing fingerprint images from templates

Reconstructing fingerprint images from templates

This is for everyone who thinks fingerprints cannot be reverse engineered from biometric systems, and especially for Jim Knight MP, the Labour Minister for Schools and Learners, who offered up the below incorrect information in a parliamentary debate in July this year with Greg Mulholland MP:

“Secondly, as I stated earlier, it is not possible to recreate a fingerprint using the numbers that are stored. The algorithm generates a unique number, producing no information of any use to identity thieves. I shall quote from a statement from the Information Commissioner’s Office—a thoroughly independent source—that says in the third paragraph:

“Full fingerprint images are not stored and cannot be generated (‘reverse engineered’) from the template.”

I hope that that is clear to all those listening, because it is an important reassurance on the points that the hon. Gentleman has made.” …absolutely crystal Jim.

1. Original fingerprint scan

2. Stored fingerprint template

3. Print reconstructed from template

From:

From Template to Image: Reconstructing
Fingerprints from Minutiae Points

Arun Ross, Member, IEEE, Jidnya Shah, and Anil K. Jain, Fellow, IEEE

April 2007

(as shown on the Leave Them Kids Alone site)

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