Identification Resources IDENT1, identification, fingerprint database, Livescan, tenprint, palm print, fingerprint, crime scene mark, ,
Being able to identify one person from many is central to police investigation, technology enables authorities to do this faster and more accurately than ever before. The creation of a national database gives UK Police greater power to identify people involved in cross border crimes. In addition, the Service has benefited from the creation of a serious crime section. All tenprints submitted are automatically searched against the unidentified marks held in the serious crime area. As part of the government's biometrics programme, the UK Border Agency along with NPIA has jointly developed and implemented improvements in the processing of UK visa applications. Since April 2008, UK visa applications collected from visa processing posts worldwide, are submitted to an automated IDENT1 interface for possible identification. It is expected that up to 8,500 visa applications per day will be presented for matching. As of April 2010 the database held:
Every person arrested in England, Scotland and Wales for a recordable offence has their fingerprints, palm prints and limited nominal data taken and entered onto the database. DNA and mug-shot photographs are also obtained. This data is synchronised with the "arrest record" on the Police National Computer (PNC) or on the Scottish Criminal History System (CHS). In England and Wales print images are only removed in special circumstances, but Scotland removes records on acquittal. The technology includes an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) search engine and two principal databases, one contains the national fingerprint (tenprint) database with over 8.1 million identity records and a second holding unidentified crime scene marks. Together with PNC, it is recognised to be part of the vital national infrastructure for policing. The next steps for IDENT1 for 2009/10 include: ACPO first mandated the requirement for automated fingerprints in 1987 and over the last 22 years significant developments have taken place. These have included the:
Although a centralised search and record system, the operational use of IDENT1 is devolved to the police service, where it is accessed and used by authorised staff at the fingerprint bureau in each of the 51 fingerprint bureaus of England, Scotland and Wales, available on a 24/7 basis.
Enhancements to the technology are still being developed and delivered, employing the use of cutting-edge technology, such as the 441 Livescan units situated within police custody suites and 200 hand held fingerprint identification devices.
IDENT1 is a managed service provided by Northrop Grumman Information Technology (NG). They have designed, developed and managed this environment, under the guidance and supervision of NPIA, to requirements specified by the police service and are contracted to do so until 2013.
Benefits
The key benefits to Police Forces in England, Scotland and Wales include:
History
