Prior to the advent of computer technology, the accused was asked to hold a card with his name, the date, and other relevant information on it. In recent years, digital photography is used for the booking process, and the accused is no longer asked to hold the card while the photo is taken.  Rather, the digital photograph is linked to a database record concerning the arrest.

Federal booking photographs mug shots are automatically entered into the public domain in the United States, and can be obtained by anyone through the Freedom of Information Act, except in special cases when the arrestees' record has been sealed.