Welcome to FBI Biometric Specifications (BioSpecs)
This website will provide you the most up-to-date information regarding FBI biometric standards initiatives from the Criminal Justice Information Services Division.
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Electronic Biometric Transmission Specification (EBTS)
The FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division is moving toward a system that will contain a complete biometric and biographic profile of the subject records in its databases.
Though fingerprints will continue to be the FBI’s primary mode of identification for the near future, the scope of the EBTS has been expanded over previous versions to include additional biometric modalities (e.g., palmprint, facial, and iris) in recognition of the rapidly developing biometric identification industry.
- Proper methods for federal, state, local, tribal and international stakeholders to communicate with the FBI
- Transmission of biographic, biometric, and disposition information for purposes of criminal or civil identification
- Sharing of identity history information when appropriate and approved
- New message structures to send 1000ppi fingerprint images, palm print, face with subject acquisition profiles, scars, marks, and tattoos, and iris biometrics
The standards process evolves with the needs of the biometric community; it improves with community feedback.
Suggestions and questions are encouraged. Please submit them via the Website’s Comments Form.
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What’s New
EBTS v10.0.8 TOU – September 30, 2017 New
TThe EBTS Technical and Operational Update (TOU) 10.0.8 is now available. This redline document identifies only those changes associated with the latest TOU. Refer to the full EBTS Version for complete specifications. Incorporation of TOUs enable FBI/CJIS system user compliance to the most recent version of the EBTS.
– EBTS TOU v10.0.8
EBTS Version 10.0.8 Final – September 30, 2017 New
EBTS v10.0.8 remains the technical specification necessary for compliance with the FBI/CJIS NGI system. It contains all changes necessary to utilize functionality delivered with the NGI Full Operational Capability (FOC) and incorporates all Technical and Operational Updates for easy reference.
– EBTS Version 10.0.8
Technical Specifications Document for the Iris Pilot (IP) Project New
The Iris Pilot Technical Specification is publicly available to enable law enforcement agencies to take advantage of the FBI Iris Pilot.
Iris recognition offers contactless capture and fast, accurate identification and investigative searches.
The Iris Pilot Technical Specification describes Pilot services, possible use cases, and the specifications necessary to use the Pilot.
For further information please contact us.
Technical Specifications Document for the Iris Pilot (IP) Project v.2.6.8 DRAFT
Facial Identification Scientific Working Group (FISWG)
Facial Image Analysis Training and One to One Facial Comparison Overview documents are approved and online.
Facial Recognition System Guidelines and Glossary were recently approved and will be online soon.
A draft facial image capture document was recently approved for release for public comment and will be online soon.
Click here to go to FISWG site for more.
EBTS Reference Tool – August 25, 2017 New
The EBTS Reference Tool has been upgraded to provide the following features:
- Enhancements and revisions to improve the quality of reference information
- Improvement in download performance
- Batch file download for Reference Tool
- 32-bit Java support
Go to the EBTS tab for additional information on how to use this tool.
EBTS Transaction Tool – August 25, 2017 New
The EBTS Transaction Tool has been upgraded to provide the following features:
- Enhanced conversion of XML-encoded transactions to traditional-encoded transactions
- Enhanced validation of traditional transactions for versions 9.3 and 10.0.5
- Enhanced validation of XML transactions for versions 9.3 and 10.0.5
- Improvement in download performance
- Batch file download for Transaction Tool
- 32-bit Java support
Go to the EBTS tab for additional information and instructions on how to use this tool.
A Practical Guide for Palm Print Capture – May 2013
On May 5, 2013, the FBI implemented the National Palm Print System (NPPS) as part of the Next Generation Identification (NGI) effort.
The NPPS provides authorized agencies the capability to search palm prints. To increase search accuracy, the FBI has provided the
"Practical Guide for Palm Print Capture" for agencies to use when capturing and submitting palm prints.
Latent Print Services
ULW v6.6.7 Software now available – August 25, 2017 New
The FBI CJIS Division is pleased to announce the latest release of the Universal Latent Workstation
(ULW) Software. The ULW is the new generation of interoperable and interactive
software for Latent Print Examiners. This tool represents the next step on the road toward total standards-based workstations by providing
users the ability to search various Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems and the FBI's NGI with a single encoding.
Latent Print Services
