New Fingerprint Technology Aids Police Investigations

Irving police officers have a new crime-fighting tool at their fingertips. AFIX Tracker®, a computer-based fingerprint and palm print identification system, provides police officers with a powerful resource.

The system has been installed at the Irving Jail and is used to electronically capture and store print information, providing faster retrieval, identification and comparison of fingerprints. The software includes a device used to digitally capture fingerprints, making them available for use in identifying a subject almost instantly.

“The system is easy to use,” said Clark Nethers, detention supervisor. “Any one of a prisoner’s fingers can be placed on the single-digit live-scan reader, and in seconds, the system displays a mug shot and personal data on the screen. The fingerprint from the live-scan reader shows side-by-side with the enrolled record fingerprint and helps us immediately verify identity.”

The database currently holds more than 78,000 sets of fingerprints, captured as prisoners are processed at the jail. With the AFIX network of software, police can quickly verify prisoners, making it virtually impossible for them to lie about their identity. It also helps to verify the identity of prisoners who are being released to ensure mistakes are not made.

Irving can share its database with other agencies that use AFIX, providing even more extensive identification capabilities. Additionally, the fingerprints are stored electronically and can be shared with any agency that uses the standard software, or police can quickly print or e-mail fingerprints for agencies without this technology.

Posted Nov. 26