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Special Databases and Special Software

NIST develops and provides as free downloads, or sells, Special Databases (SD) and Special Software (SSW). These databases contain digital data objects such as images, software, and videos. Other information about the SD and SSW products are available at the NIST Information Technology website.

NumberTitlePrice
Special Database 2NIST Structured Forms Reference Set of Binary Images (SFRS)

This database contains 5,590 pages of binary, black-and-white images of synthesized documents such as tax forms. Read More
Free download
Special Database 4NIST 8-Bit Gray Scale Images of Fingerprint Image GroupsDiscontinued
Special Database 6NIST Structured Forms Reference Set of Binary Images II (SFRS2)

This second database of structured forms has 5,595 pages of binary, black-and-white images of synthesized documents containing hand-printed information. Read More
Free download
Special Database 8NIST Machine-Print Database of Gray Scale and Binary Images (MPDB)Discontinued
Special Database 9NIST Mated Fingerprint Card Pairs (Volumes 1-10)Discontinued
Special Database 10NIST Supplemental Fingerprint Card Data (SFCD) for NIST Special Database 9Discontinued
Special Database 14NIST Mated Fingerprint Card Pairs 2 (MFCP2)Discontinued
Special Database 18NIST Mugshot Identification Database (MID)

This mugshot database contains 3248 images of variable size and is used for developing and testing automated mugshot identification systems. Read More
Free download
Special Database 19NIST Handprinted Forms and Characters

Handprinted Sample Forms from 3600 writers, including digits and upper and lower case letters, are provided in this database. Read More
Free download
Special Database 20NIST Scientific and Technical Document DatabaseDiscontinued
Special Database 22NIST TREC Document Database: Disk 4

 
Discontinued
Special Database 23NIST TREC Document Database: Disk 5

 
Discontinued
Special Database 25NIST Federal Register Document Image Database, Volume 1Discontinued
Special Database 26NIST Digital Video 1
 
Discontinued
Special Database 28NIST National Software Reference Library (NSRL)

The National Software Reference Library encompasses a repository of all types of software and is used to assist in fighting crime involving computers. Read More
Download
Special Database 29NIST Plain and Rolled Images from Paired Fingerprint CardsDiscontinued
Special Database 30NIST Dual Resolution Images from Paired Fingerprint CardsDiscontinued
Special Database 32NIST Multiple Encounter Dataset (MEDS)

This multiple encounter dataset contains submissions of deceased persons and is used by the FBI and partner organizations in refining tools, techniques, and procedures for face recognition. Read More
Free Download
Special Database 33NIST Test Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Cards 

A set of NIST Test Personal Identification Verification (PIV) Cards contains sixteen smart cards that are loaded with PIV Card Applications including test data and keys similar to what might appear on actual PIV Cards. Read More
$800
Special Database 300

Uncompressed Plain and Rolled Images from Fingerprint Cards

NIST, working with the FBI, has digitized 888 inked fingerprint arrest cards that were in various physical conditions, from pristine to badly damaged and faded, and were collected during law enforcement professionals' duties. This database contains images of rolled fingerprint impressions, slap impressions, and segmented impressions. Read More

Free Download
Special Database 301Nail to Nail (N2N) Fingerprint Challenge Dry Run

In April 2017, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) held a dry run for the data collection portion of its Nail to Nail (N2N) Fingerprint Capture Challenge. NIST collected biometric data from unhabituated individuals that is provided in this database. Read more
Free Download
Special Database 302Nail to Nail (N2N) Fingerprint Challenge

In September 2017, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) held for the data collection of its Nail to Nail (N2N) Fingerprint Capture Challenge. NIST collected biometric data from unhabituated individuals that is provided in this database. Read more
 
Created April 16, 2018, Updated August 29, 2025
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