Abstract: A distributed biometric identification system and architecture for rapidly identifying individuals using fingerprint and photographic data. The present architecture includes a centralized server coupled to a plurality of distributed client workstations by way of a wide area telecommunications network. The server and client workstations each contain subsystems that cooperate to provide personnel identification services to users of the system. The distributed biometric identification system is designed to rapidly identify personnel based on the use of biometric (i.e., fingerprint or photograph) or other unique identification data. The system is an integrated, front-end automated fingerprint and photographic identification tool that supports comprehensive application processing and administrative systems, such as those of the INS and other government agencies.