What effect do digital fingerprints have on the FBI?

It's called the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS)

Benefits include: National Security Enhancement, as well as a smaller paper trail (better for the environment), safer because of encryption. (See bolded items below for more effects and benefits).

Explanation:

In July 1999, the fingerprint identification function was automated in the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). This national, computerized system for storing, comparing, and exchanging fingerprint data in a digital format permits comparisons of fingerprints in a faster and more accurate manner. It is located in, and operated by, the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division of the FBI in Clarksburg, West Virginia. IAFIS provides three major services to its customers. First, it is a repository of criminal history information, fingerprints, criminal subject photographs, as well as information regarding military and civilian federal employees and other individuals as authorized by Congress. Second, it provides positive identification of individuals based on fingerprint submissions (both through ten‑print fingerprints and latent fingerprints). Third, it provides tentative identification of individuals based on descriptive information such as a name, date of birth, distinctive body markings, and identification numbers. IAFIS's primary function is to provide the FBI a fully automated fingerprint identification and criminal history reporting system. Additionally, IAFIS has made several other accomplishments. It has improved latent fingerprint identification services to the law enforcement community and it has also helped to develop uniform biometric standards. These improvements have eliminated the need to process and retain paper fingerprint cards and has, thereby, accelerated the identification process. Another benefit has been the development of improved digital image quality.

Fingerprints are voluntarily submitted to the FBI by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. These agencies acquire the fingerprints through criminal arrests or from non-criminal sources, such as employment background checks and the US-VISIT program. Digital are kept longer on records.

Explanation: