A software implemented system and method for algorithmic correction of systematic image distortions within fingerprint imaging systems. The system and method may implement a three dimensional geometric model of a fingerprint imaging system to discover where a configuration prescribed by a conceptual fingerprint imaging system and an actual configuration of a manufactured fingerprint imaging system differ. By describing this difference using the geometric model, images captured by the manufactured fingerprint imaging system can be rectified in operational use to generate rectified images with relatively low amounts of distortion present.