1. A method for extracting identification data identifying a selected minutia feature from a plurality of different minutia or aberration types of a generally elongated image element of an image from a rectangular image array of pixels representing said image, and comprising the steps of: (a) scanning said image array of pixels by a digital processor to detect border pixels defining a border of said elongated element; (b) determining rectangular border coordinates of said border pixels by using said processor to determine the X-Y coordinates of the detected border pixels; (c) calculating rectangular centerline coordinates of an average centerline of said elongated element from said border coordinates by using said processor to determine the X-Y coordinates of pixels centered between opposite border pixels of said image element; (d) detecting the presence of a specific selected minutia or aberration of said elongated element from said border coordinates by using said processor to test said border coordinates to detect certain properties characteristic of each of said plurality of different minutia or aberration types; (e) using said processor to determine X-Y coordinates of the detected minutia of said element from said border coordinates; and (f) storing said minutia X-Y coordinates in a digital storage medium as identification data of said detected minutia feature of said element of said image.