Abstract: The arrangement uses a portable data carrier in the form of a plastic card, which has several magnetic tracks for containing data. The stored data can consist of the degree of correlation between a fingerprint of the authorized individual and a stored and selected reference signal image and the code number of this reference signal image. Further, use of a so-called characteristic number is possible. A fingerprint detection terminal with a sensor contains a memory in which the selected reference signal image is stored. The sensor compares the actual fingerprint of an individual to be checked with the corresponding reference signal image identified on the plastic card and stored in the fingerprint detection terminal. The thus determined degree of correlation is, in turn, compared to the degree of correlation stored on the plastic card and, as a function of the result of this comparison, an appropriate decision signal is released.