NCJ Number
134914
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1992) Pages: 33,35-36,40,43-45
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Technological advances such as automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) and computerized imaging systems can be costly, but law enforcement agencies around the country report success rates in their use in suspect identification as well as operating cost savings that are greater than the initial financial outlay.
Abstract
The AFIS rapidly searches a database of thousands of fingerprints using coded information about a fingerprint's pattern type, generating a list of possible matches to be examined and verified by a fingerprint expert. The AFIS takes much less space and staff than manual systems. Computerized imaging systems can produce a photographic lineup in 5 minutes, compared to an hour using manual methods. In addition, a computerized sketching program permits anyone to generate composite sketches of criminal suspects using the same techniques as a professional police artist. Other systems can generate a suspect's likeness from only parts of actual photographs.