In a fingerprint identification system, a fingerprint sensor 104 of a registration apparatus 2 reads a fingerprint in a larger region, whereas a fingerprint sensor 30 of an identification apparatus 4, which is smaller in size, reads a fingerprint in a smaller region. Plating surfaces are prepared on the metal structure for electroless plating by at least one of: masking surfaces of the metal structure to prevent electroless plating on masked surfaces andor activating a surface of the metal structure. The program then signals the central computer to create an account in a database, and to create a unique alphanumeric code associated with the account.