Taking thumbprints has been around for quite some time, at least by the big banks. Many check forgers/kiters already have criminal records, so if a check bounces, they can turn the thumbprint over to law enforcement and they can check the print against the criminal databases. The print plus security camera footage would give a pretty solid prosecution case, once the person is arrested. The police probably will not actually send someone out after them unless the check amount was substantial, but an arrest warrant will be in the system for the next time they cross paths with the police, such as during a traffic stop or if they are arrested for some other reason.

I could also see some banks, especially the big ones, that use digital scanning having their own internal database of known check fraudsters that will immediately raise the red flag to the teller at the time the check is being cashed. Biometric software makes that process very quick.

Most banks started by using blank ink, but I believe most banks either scan your thumbprint digitally or use an "invisible" ink these days to lessen the inconvenience to customers and the perception that "I'm being fingerprinted like a criminal."