1. A method for generating a gradient characterization for a first fingerprint image of an individual, the method comprising: selecting one or more fingerprint feature points from the first fingerprint image, wherein selecting a feature point includes selecting a fingerprint feature that is unique to the individual; obtaining a region for each of the one or more selected fingerprint feature points, wherein each obtained region is a representation of an area proximate a given selected fingerprint feature point; dividing each of the obtained regions into a plurality of sub-regions; for each obtained region, generating a gradient histogram for each of the plurality of sub-regions associated with the obtained region; and combining the generated gradient histograms for the plurality of sub-regions of a given region into a concatenated gradient histogram representative of the given region, wherein the concatenated gradient histogram is used for identification purposes.