Effects of JPEG 2000 Image Compression on 1000 ppi Fingerprint Imagery

This paper presents the findings of a study conducted to measure the impact of JPEG 2000 compression on 1000 ppi fingerprint imagery at various levels of compression. The impact of compression to both Galton and non-Galton based features of a fingerprint is measured by utilizing the professional judgment of trained and seasoned fingerprint examiners. This impact is analyzed by consolidating and quantifying multiple decisions and associating a cost with the different levels of image compression loss incurred during compression. In addition to measuring the perceived visual impact of compression on the aforementioned features of the fingerprint as a result of compression, this paper also looks at the impact of compression on the examiner’s ability to render identification decisions.