An image verification system including a fingerprint sensing means for
sensing a fingerprint; an image data storing means for storing image data
of the fingerprint sensed by the fingerprint sensing means as first image
data; and a residual fingerprint judging means for comparing second image
data of a fingerprint newly sensed by the fingerprint sensing means with
the first image data stored by the image data storing means, and judging
whether or not the second image data indicates a residual fingerprint,
wherein the residual fingerprint judging means judges that the second
image data indicates a residual fingerprint and does not verify the
fingerprint when said first image data and the second image data match,
while judges that the second image data is not a residual fingerprint and
verifies the fingerprint when the first image data and the second image
data do not match, whereby a fingerprint can be verified with a high
precision without erroneously detecting a residual fingerprint.