Page 264 - Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)

CASE STUDY—DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH 249

Table 10.2
Year Number of Identifications Annual Latent Print
Identifications
1995 1,011
1996 1,033
1997 971
1998 1,015
1999 1,292
2000 1,549
2001 2,004

matchers and coders in the spring of 1999. By the fall of 1999, the entire latent
cog (TPlc) database had been reconverted. Within 1 month of the installation
of this new database, the first of the two lists of cases on the UL file was pre-
pared and distributed. Meetings with latent print examiners were held across
the state to explain the process and opportunities. Note that in Table 10.2 there
is a nearly 30% improvement in the number of latent print identifications from
1999 to 2000.
By the spring of 2000, the second list of cases on the unsolved latent file had
been prepared and distributed. As with the distribution of the first list, face-to-
face meetings of latent print examiners and supervisors were held to explain
the process and answer questions. For the year 2000, latent print examiners
using SAFIS made over 2,000 latent print identifications!

10.6 SUMMARY

The reasons for the improvements can be summarized in a statement made by
Richard Higgins, former Chief of Criminal Identification for the New York State
Division of Criminal Justice Services, “The name of the game is idents, idents,
idents.” By embracing this philosophy, DCJS managers sought to provide not
just an adequate Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System, but
the best Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System. The improve-
ments did not end with upgrading the technology. Managers also examined
methods of harnessing the power of SAFIS to make faster identifications, to
better interface with the CCH file, and to pass along this information on sub-
mitting agencies. Managers also worked closely with latent print examiners and
supervisors to provide them with the tools and knowledge to use SAFIS to
produce more identifications.
The identification process is a people process (see Table 10.3). A booking
officer captures an inked impression on a tenprint card or rolls the subject’s
fingers across a glass platen. Evidence technicians search crime scenes for latent