Abstract: A method and an arrangement for recording intensity patterns occurring on a contact surface by frustrated total reflection, particularly for low-distortion recording of relatively large-area fingerprints, handprints or footprints or other parts of the skin. It is an object of the invention to find a novel possibility for recording intensity patterns occurring on a support surface according to the principle of frustrated total reflection which achieves a high-resolution, low-distortion image of the intensity pattern using simple optical arrangements.