A fingerprint reading system is provided, which is capable of enhancing versatility when actually used, increasing productivity and reducing costs. An illumination device emits the light from a rear surface side of an active matrix liquid crystal cell. A light guiding plate provided on a surface side of the active matrix liquid crystal cell, transmits the light coming from the rear surface side and deflects the light coming from the surface side toward one side end surface. A light receiving device provided on the side of one side surface of the light guiding plate receives the light exiting from this one side surface. A drive circuit makes the active matrix liquid crystal cell pinpoint-irradiate a fingerprint in contact with the light guiding plate by pinpointing with the light emitted from the illumination device and makes the light receiving device pinpoint-receive the light reflected by the fingerpoint, thereby obtaining an image of the fingerprint.