Guidelines for Preparation of Fingerprint Cards and Associated Criminal History Information

One of the more important functions of any police agency is the processing of fingerprint images and cards, whether it deals with criminal or applicant contributors. At no time is there a higher sense of frustration than when the fingerprints obtained and submitted to the FBI have been returned because of missing, illegible or incomplete data or the fingerprint images are of such poor quality that they cannot be processed. This guide has been prepared to assist local, state and federal law enforcement governmental agencies and authorized applicant contributors in the preparation of the FBI Criminal Fingerprint Card (Form FD-249), FBI Applicant Fingerprint Card (Form FD-258), FBI Palmprint cards (Forms FD 884 and 884a), FBI Final Disposition Report (R-84), and FBI Flash/Cancellation Notice (Form I-12). Included are examples and instructions that will identify the correct manner in which data is to be recorded on the fingerprint cards including code tables for entry of personal descriptors. Also included are instructions on how to obtain legible fingerprints. This guide has been designed to assist you and your department in meeting its goal of receiving prompt identification services and results. It will help you report correct and complete information in the standardized manner. This enables the FBI to process the fingerprint cards and associated documents more promptly and with less chance of error.