A personal identification/recognition device has a light source (1140 for emitting transmitting light through a finger (102), an image detection part (112) for detecting the light and a light quantum-adjustment unit (116) for adjusting the amount of light transmitting through the finger and entering the image detection part, as well as the amount light reflected through the lateral surfaces of the finger and entering the image detection part. The light source is arranged in a horizontal or horizontal inclined direction relative to an image detection surface of the finger. An Independent claim is included for a personal identification system.