Apparatus for collecting fingerprints and buccal swabs

Abstract

Disclosed are devices and methods for collection, labeling and matching biological samples containing nucleic acid in conjunction with collecting at least one ridge and valley signature such as a fingerprint or footprint of an individual. Such devices and methods are used in forensic, human identification, paternity, tissue typing, and screening technologies to rapidly process an individual's identity, determine the identity of an individual along with the genotype profile of the individual.

1 . A biometric data collection system comprising:
 a first component adapted to obtain a representation of an appendage of an individual, and   at least a second component comprising a substrate adapted to receive a biological sample from the individual, wherein either the substrate or a biological sample collection device comprising the substrate is labeled with the representation.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises a surface adapted to obtain an impression of the appendage. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising an imaging system operatively coupled to the surface, wherein the imaging system is configured to collect an electronic image resulting from the impression. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the imaging system is an optical imaging system or a capacitive scanning/imaging system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to convert the electronic image from the impression of  claim 3  into the representation of the appendage. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the representation is configured for data basing. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a component adapted to label the substrate or the biological sample collection device with the representation. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 (i) a database connected to the processor; and   (ii) a connections module connected to the processor.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the representation is a graphical, digital, photographic, analog, alphanumeric, hexadecimal or binary representation. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the impression is an electronic image. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the impression of an appendage is a fingerprint. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the surface for obtaining the representation comprises a platen. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the connections module provides the system access to networks, software sources, databases of such entities as investigative and intelligence agencies, watch lists, cable systems, the web, optical fiber systems, wireless communications, and/or other pertinent resources. 
     
     
         15 . A method for matching collected biometric information comprising:
 providing a surface for obtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual, wherein an impression of a fingerprint of a finger of the individual is obtained when the individual touches the surface;   converting the fingerprint impression to an electronically readable representation;   labeling a biological sample collection device with the electronically readable representation;   collecting a biological sample from the individual with the labeled biological sample collection device; wherein the electronically readable representation from the fingerprint is matched to the labeled biological sample collection device following collection of the biological sample.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising genotyping the biological sample. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising archiving the collected biometric information. 
     
     
         18 . A method for matching collected biometric information comprising:
 providing a surface for obtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual, wherein an impression of the appendage of the individual is obtained when the individual touches the surface, wherein the appendage is a digit;   converting the impression to an electronically readable representation;   labeling a substrate with the electronically readable representation;   transferring a biological sample from the individual to the substrate; and   matching the electronically readable representation from the impression to the labeled substrate following collection of the biological sample.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising genotyping the biological sample. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising archiving the collected biometric information. 
     
     
         21 . A method for matching collected biometric information comprising:
 providing a surface for obtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual, wherein an impression of the appendage of the individual is obtained when the individual touches the surface, wherein the appendage is a digit;   converting the impression to an electronically readable representation;   entering a first instance of the electronically readable representation and identifying information in a database;   labeling a substrate with a second instance of the electronically readable representation;   transferring a biological sample from the individual to the substrate;   transporting the labeled substrate containing the biological sample to another location;   matching the second instance of the electronically readable representation on the labeled substrate to the first instance of the electronically readable representation in the database.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising genotyping the biological sample. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising archiving the collected biometric information.