Ink vs. Live Scan Fingerprinting: Which Is Faster?

 

When you apply for a security clearance, you have to submit fingerprints. This is an important document for your career, which is why it's important that the process be as quick and efficient as possible. Find out in this article which type of fingerprinting is faster and more accurate- Live Scan or Ink?

What is Live Scan Fingerprinting?

Live scan fingerprinting is an electronic method of taking fingerprints. A live scan machine reads the ridges and valleys of a person’s finger and converts them into an electronic image. This image can then be transmitted to a law enforcement agency for processing.

Live scan fingerprinting is generally faster than ink fingerprinting because there is no need to wait for the ink to dry. In addition, live scan machines can often take multiple fingerprints at once, which further speeds up the process.

What is Ink Fingerprinting?

Ink fingerprinting services are the process of taking an inked impression of a person's fingerprint. The inked print is then placed on a card and submitted to a law enforcement agency for analysis.

Ink fingerprinting is not as accurate as live scan fingerprinting, but it is faster and cheaper. Ink fingerprinting is typically used for background checks and other screening purposes.

Pros and Cons of Live Scan vs. Ink Fingerprinting

There are a few key differences between Live Scan and ink fingerprinting. One is the speed at which each method can be completed. Typically, Live Scan fingerprinting is much faster since it can be done electronically. Ink fingerprinting usually requires drying time, which can add minutes or even hours to the process.

Another difference is the quality of the image. Since Live Scan uses an electronic scan, the image quality is typically much higher than that of an ink fingerprint. This can be important when trying to identify someone from a print.

Finally, the cost can also be a consideration. In general, Live Scan machines are more expensive to purchase and maintain than ink pads and paper. However, when you factor in the time savings and improved image quality, Live Scan may ultimately be more cost-effective in the long run.

Conclusion

If you're in a hurry to get your fingerprints taken, live scan fingerprinting is the way to go. It's significantly faster than ink fingerprinting, and the results are just as accurate. However, if you have the time to spare, ink fingerprinting is a perfectly viable option — and it's usually cheaper. Whichever method you choose, make sure you go to a reputable provider so that your fingerprints are done correctly.