BIOMETRIC FINGERPRINT TERMS W
Watchlist
A term sometimes referred to as open-set identification that describes one of the three tasks that biometric systems perform. Answers the questions: Is this person in the database? If so, who are they? The biometric system determines if the individual’s biometric template matches a biometric template of someone on the watchlist, as illustrated below. The individual does not make an identity claim, and in some cases does not personally interact with the system whatsoever.
Wavelet Scalar Quantization (WSQ)
An FBI-specified compression standard algorithm that is used for the exchange of fingerprints within the criminal justice community. It is used to reduce the data size of images.
Whorl
A fingerprint pattern in which the ridges are circular or nearly circular, as illustrated below. The pattern will contain 2 or more deltas.