  Fingerprint reconstruction is one of the most well-known and publicized
biometrics. Because of their uniqueness and consistency over time, fingerprints
have been used for identification over a century, more recently becoming
automated due to advancements in computed capabilities. Fingerprint
reconstruction is popular because of the inherent ease of acquisition, the
numerous sources (e.g. ten fingers) available for collection, and their
established use and collections by law enforcement and immigration.
Fingerprints have always been the most practical and positive means of
identification. Offenders, being well aware of this, have been coming up with
ways to escape identification by that means. Erasing left over fingerprints,
using gloves, fingerprint forgery; are certain examples of methods tried by
them, over the years. Failing to prevent themselves, they moved to an extent of
mutilating their finger skin pattern, to remain unidentified. This article is
based upon obliteration of finger ridge patterns and discusses some known cases
in relation to the same, in chronological order; highlighting the reasons why
offenders go to an extent of performing such act. The paper gives an overview
of different methods and performance measurement of the fingerprint
reconstruction.
