Fingerprint identification is the world's most widely used and trusted method of biometric identification. Fingerprint identification exploits the variability of the patterns formed by papillary ridges (the corrugated ridges that swirl around and across the fingertips). Historically, the two primary uses of fingerprint identification have been for criminal record-keeping and for forensic identification. Fingerprints are also used for civilian identification purposes, such as controlling access to entitlements (government benefits), keeping motor vehicle records, and immigration control. Due to recent innovations in fingerprints scanners, fingerprints are increasingly used for civil identification and security purposes.