Dulles' new fingerprint requirement

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- International visitors arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport are now required to provide 10 fingerprints as part of a new security initiative.

The Homeland Security Department announced that the new upgraded fingerprint requirement would take effect at Dulles. Officials say the change from a two- to 10-fingerprint collection will enhance security and fingerprint matching accuracy, the DHS reported.

"Anyone who's watched the news or seen crimes solved on television shows can appreciate the power of biometrics," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a statement. "They help the legitimate traveler proceed more quickly while protecting their identity and enable our frontline personnel to focus even greater attention on potential security risks. Biometrics tell the story that the unknown terrorist tries to conceal, and it causes them to question whether they've ever left a print behind."

"Officials say biometrics are collected from all non-U.S. citizens between the ages of 14 and 79 when the persons apply for visas or arrive at U.S. ports of entry. The department's US-VISIT program checks this data against a joint FBI-DHS watch list of criminals, immigration violators and known or suspected terrorists," the release said.

Dulles became the first port of entry to collect additional fingerprints from visitors. Nine other ports of entry will begin 10-fingerprint collection during the next few months.