BECAUSE FINGERPRINTS ARE NOT ALWAYS ASSOCIATED WITH CRIME AND CRIMINALS, THE ENACTMENT OF A NATIONAL FINGERPRINTING LAW MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE AND INCONVENIENCE THEM. SUCH A LAW, HOWEVER, CAN GREATLY ASSIST POLICE OFFICERS AND A STRONG CASE CAN BE MADE FOR ESTABLISHING A VOLUNTARY FINGERPRINT REGISTER ON A NATIONAL SCALE. THIS REGISTER CAN BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING UNKNOWN DEAD PERSONS. IF A REGISTER FOR CRIMINAL PURPOSES IS ESTABLISHED, THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A CIVIL FINGERPRINT REGISTER. FURTHERMORE, IF A CRIMINAL REGISTER IS ESTABLISHED, AND A CASE ARISES INVOLVING EITHER THE LOSS OF MEMORY OR DEATH, AND EVERY EFFORT ON THE PART OF POLICE FAILS TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY, IT WOULD BE A SIMPLE MATTER TO SUBMIT FINGERPRINTS OF THE PERSON CONCERNED TO THE CUSTODIAN OF THE REGISTER, WITH THE REQUEST THAT A CHECK BE MADE. FINGERPRINTS REPRESENT AN INFALLIBLE METHOD OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION, BUT IT IS NECESSARY TO ASSURE THAT PUBLIC RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES ARE SAFEGUARDED. (DEP)