Your fingerprints aren't unique after all, discovers AI

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For years, we’ve been told fingerprints are unique. They’ve been used to solve crimes, secure devices, and verify identities. But AI is now challenging this long-held belief, showing that fingerprints might not be as one-of-a-kind as we thought.

Researchers trained AI models to study thousands of fingerprint images. They found overlaps in patterns that were once thought to be impossible. These similarities mean two people could have fingerprints that appear the same, especially when partial prints are used.

A study by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) showed partial prints could lead to false matches 1 in 900 times. When databases contain millions of prints, the chances of errors grow.

Real-Life Examples

  1. Criminal Cases:
    In 2004, Brandon Mayfield, an attorney in the U.S., was mistakenly linked to a Madrid train bombing through a fingerprint match. It turned out to be wrong. AI now reveals that such errors can occur because partial prints aren’t as reliable as we thought.

  2. Device Security:
    Some smartphones use fingerprints for unlocking. AI research shows that hackers could trick sensors using "master prints." These are artificially generated prints that match multiple users' data.

  3. Border Control Errors:
    In large fingerprint databases like those used for visas or border checks, AI simulations found cases where two different prints matched, leading to misidentifications.

Fingerprints are complex, but not perfect. Partial prints—like those left on a glass—show only a small part of the full pattern. AI revealed that this partial data is often not enough to guarantee uniqueness.

What Can Be Done?

  1. Improving Technology:
    Devices and systems relying on fingerprints need upgrades. AI can help create better algorithms that reduce errors.

  2. Using Multi-Factor Security:
    Relying on fingerprints alone isn’t foolproof. Adding PINs, face recognition, or other methods increases safety.

  3. Smarter Databases:
    AI could also be used to identify and flag potential errors in fingerprint databases.

AI isn’t saying fingerprints are useless. They’re still highly reliable most of the time. But this discovery highlights the need to rethink how we use them, especially in high-stakes situations like criminal investigations or security.

The lesson? Even our fingerprints aren’t as unique as we thought—and that’s okay. It’s a reminder to keep improving how we combine technology and human judgment for better results.