Fingerprinting

Have you ever been fingerprinted? Well, I don't expect you to answer but it is an interesting experience.

I recently had to be fingerprinted as part of the process to become a licensed Public Adjuster. As I sat in the waiting room anticipating my name being called and what was going to be done to me, I had an opportunity to speculate about the other people waiting for their turn. There was a man sitting to my left who had a form in his hand similar to mine but for the life of me I could not see what was on the paper without him knowing I was trying to be nosy. For some reason, however, he left before his name was called. What was that all about? Was he a criminal and was there at the request of the police but thought now was a good time for a fast getaway? No, that could not be as there were no policmen in sight. Was it then because he did not complete the paperwork properly? I will never know. Then, there was the guy to my right who also had a form in his hand but it was all crumpled up. Why was he there? Was he getting his fingerprints done for a licensed profession as well or was it for something else?

Before my imagination wen wild, my name was called. When I walked into the room, my mind was at ease. The technician had on some nice relaxing music and I didn't have to place my fingers onto some cold, messy, ink pad. Instead, she placed each of my fingers on a scanning machine, much like a copy machine. The light came on and scanned my fingerprints as she rolled each finger onto the machine. It was painless and not messy at all. What a relief!