Fingerprint Rejection: Causes & How to Avoid It
Why prints get rejected by the RCMP/FBI and how our technology prevents it.
Receiving a rejection letter from the RCMP or FBI is frustrating. It means delays in your application, lost fees, and often requires you to restart the entire process. The good news? Most rejections are preventable.
Common Causes of Poor Quality Prints
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Dry or Worn Skin: Frequent hand washing, manual labor (construction/landscaping), or age can smooth out the ridge detail needed for a clear capture.
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Skin Conditions: Eczema, psoriasis, or peeling skin can obscure the ridges.
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Sweat/Moisture: Excess moisture (hyperhidrosis) causes prints to appear “muddy” or black, losing the definition between ridges.
How We Prevent Rejections
At Surrey Fingerprint Company, we use advanced LiveScan Digital Technology. Unlike traditional ink pads, which are messy and permanent once on paper, digital scanners allow for real-time quality control.
1. Instant Quality Scoring
Our software analyzes your print instantly and gives it a “Quality Score.” If a finger scores low, we know immediately and can rescan it until it passes.
2. Specialized Enhancers
We use specialized ridge-enhancing lotions (like Ridge Builder) designed specifically to bring out detail in dry or worn fingers.
How You Can Prepare (Before Your Appointment)
If you know you have “difficult” hands, you can help ensure a good capture:
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water the day before. Hydrated skin provides better conductivity for the scanner.
- Moisturize: Apply lotion to your hands regularly in the days leading up to your visit (but not immediately before).
- Avoid Chemicals: Try to avoid harsh cleaning chemicals or heavy manual labor on the morning of your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fingerprints get rejected?
The most common cause is poor image quality due to dry skin, worn ridges (from manual labor), or skin conditions like eczema. Rarely, it can be due to operator error if non-digital methods are used.
How do you prevent fingerprint rejection?
We use LiveScan digital scanners that provide real-time feedback. If a print is poor, the computer alerts us instantly so we can rescan it or apply specialized lotion to improve the ridge detail.
What happens if my prints are rejected?
If your prints are rejected by the RCMP despite our best efforts, bring the rejection letter to us. We will re-take your fingerprints.
Don’t Risk a Rejection
Trust our experienced technicians and advanced technology.