The Cop Column
December, 2001
Rick Hord
Public Information Officer
If You Need to Get Fingerprinted
We recently arrested (actually, re-arrested) a person who had failed to show up for a court date in 1996. When we tracked down the man we were looking for he said, "That's my name, but I'm not the one who skipped court... that's my brother. He uses my ID when he gets in trouble." Fingerprints verified that; the wayward brother was eventually caught. That story, not unusual, illustrates one of the reasons you may be required to do a fingerprint card even if you're not a criminal.
Most people associate fingerprints with criminals, so there's sometimes a reluctance to visit the Sheriff's Office for that purpose. Here are some common questions:
Q-I don't have a fingerprint card. Can you provide one?
A-Sorry. The bureaucracy requires certain code numbers on the card, depending on what employer or agency is asking for your background check. Whoever is asking you to get fingerprinted must supply the card. If you were being hired as a school teacher, and a real estate agent, and a daycare worker, and a bail bondsman, and an adult entertainer, all on the same day, you would need five different cards.
Q-Will people think I'm a criminal if they see me being fingerprinted?
A-No, you have a blue card. Criminal suspects have a red card. Actually, these days, they are usually fingerprinted without a card at all on a special computerized laser machine, but that's another story. Also, we have a different room away from public areas where criminal suspects are processed. Most days, we fingerprint more "applicants" than "criminals."
Q-Should I fill in all the blanks before I get to your office?
A-Not if you're using blue ink. ONLY BLACK INK is allowed on fingerprint cards. Black ink is more permanent, and these cards are kept for decades. Plus, black ink works better if the card ever needs to be copied, scanned, or faxed. To answer the original question... it's okay to fill in your name and other blanks, but wait to sign it at our office. Be sure to bring a photo ID.
Q-There's a space for "alias" names. What do I put there?
A-Muhammad Ali would write "Cassius Clay" as an alias. Nicknames, or previous names due to marriage, divorce, etc., should also go there. "Alias" may sound sinister, but it's not.
Q-My card got rejected. What do I do?
A- Don't worry, this is common. Either the prints weren't clear enough, or you used ink other than black somewhere on the card. Come back with a clean card and we'll try again. Be sure your hands are clean and dry... no lotion on them. The drier the better. We'll do our best, and give you a form stating that better prints can't be had, and these will just have to do.
Q-I've already been fingerprinted. Why do I have to do it again?
A-How do they know unless you send them a fingerprint card to prove you're the same person? You could be your evil twin.
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