Abstract: A system including electronic, mechanical and optical mechanisms which enable the system to: "read" a human fingerprint directly from a human finger; convert the ridge-valley pattern of that fingerprint into an electronic representation; transmit the electronic representation to a centralized location where image processing computing equipment can locate and extract the distinctive characteristics or minutiae of the fingerprint; compare the minutiae with minutiae previously recorded from the fingerprints of persons whom the system is responsible for identifying; determine whether the identity of the person whose fingerprint is read is known, and, if known, whether or not the person is authorized to enter the portal equipped with this system, or to otherwise act; and, to transmit a signal to the terminal and/or portal regarding the system's decision.