Fingerprints classification using artificial neural networks: a combined structural and statistical approach

This paper describes a fingerprint classification algorithm using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Fingerprints are classified into six categories: arches, tented arches, left loops, right loops, whorls and twin loops. The algorithm extracts a string of symbols using the block directional image of a fingerprint, which represents the set of structural features for this image. The moment representing the statistical feature of the pattern is computed for this string and its Euclidean Distance Measures (EDM) are computed by using this moment. Our discrimination system uses a multilayer artificial neural network composed of six subnetworks one for each class. The classifier was tested on 1,500 images of good quality in the Egyptian Fingerprints database; images with poor quality were rejected. In the six-class problem the network achieved 95% classification accuracy. In the five-class problem when we place whorls and twin loops together in the same category the classification accuracy was around 99%. In the four-class problem when we place arches and tented arches in the same class the classification accuracy was 99%.