Given the pandemic situation, hygiene and fingerprints have become discussed much more than in previous years. Similar to any other surface that people touch with their hands, fingerprint scanners are a potential source for the transmission of bacteria and viruses from one person to another. Since touchless fingerprint technologies are not certified for identification with either flat or rolled fingerprints, touch-based fingerprint scanners are the only choice when it comes to applications that require forensic quality fingerprints.
Disinfecting and sterilizing fingerprint scanners
Depending on the material, bacteria and viruses can survive on surfaces between a few hours and several days. Regular disinfection of the contact surfaces helps to reduce the risk of infection effectively 1. However, it requires a careful regimen of disinfection and a continuous availability of cleaning supplies. There are other means to disinfect and sterilize surfaces, such as with UV radiation or ozo