<p>A scientific description you find in <a href="http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1201/1201.1422.pdf" rel="nofollow">Minutiae Extraction from Fingerprint Images</a>. 
Some algorithms are implemented in <a href="http://opencv.willowgarage.com/wiki/" rel="nofollow">OpenCV</a> see the segmentation section. </p>

<p>The OpenCV library can be linked to java using JNI.</p>
Bifurcation and ridge ending point
<p>Is there any way to find Bifurcation point and ridge ending point in a Image (hand, vein), by using a Java code only not Matlab etc.?  Can I achieve this by ImageJ Library of Java?  </p>