When a set of fingerprints is good enough for a background check, the FBI calls these prints “classifiable”. If a set of fingerprints is submitted to the FBI that is not classifiable, they will reject that submission. It may surprise you to know that there are some steps you can take to increase the chances that your prints will result in a classifiable set and make the fingerprinting session go more smoothly..
Only a small percentage of our clients can be fingerprinted easily without resorting to methods to make their print ridges more prominent. We use a glycerin-based moisturizer in our office but having well moisturized hands before you come to us will yield better results.
To help ensure that your fingerprinting session is easier and more productive you should drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of your fingerprinting session. Use moisturizer on your hands often in the 24 hours leading up to your appointment, especially after you wash your hands.
If you have very dry skin or the ridges on your prints are worn away, you can take this a step further. Just before you go to sleep the night before, put a quality lotion on your hands and go a little overboard in applying it. Then put on gloves and sleep with the gloves on your hands.
Hands that have been immersed in water tend to swell and may give substandard prints. For this reason, avoid activities like swimming or washing dishes the day of your fingerprint session. Don’t wash your hands or use sanitizer or lotion just before your appointment either.
Do these things and you’ll have a better chance at getting a good set of prints. When you need to set up an appointment for fingerprinting, use the link below to make your appointment. Our office is in Madison, Alabama and convenient to Huntsville, Decatur, and Athens.
Very informative. I will add drinking plenty of water to my list of best practices. I had to send a young lady home the other day to attempt the steps listed. She really did not want to do ink fingerprints, so we tried again the next day. She was on a timeline to complete the background check due to a company merger, so we made the decision to create ink fingerprints. Most individuals tend to take the results of the electronic process, personally but please don’t. Depending on your occupation, your age, etc., the electronic processes may not be an option.