NCJ Number
197518
Journal
Trends & Issues Update Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 1-4
Date Published
September 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article focuses on technological advances that have improved the usefulness and quality of criminal history record information in Illinois.
Abstract
Addressing technological advances in crime prevention and reduction, this article discusses ways that Illinois State Police have been working on ways to improved the usefulness and quality of criminal history record information (CHRI) since the mid-1990’s. Because employers, childcare operators, and members of the public may access the Illinois CHRI system to obtain conviction information on any person, the quality and timely processing of fingerprint information is critical to the services of the CHRI system. Highlighting the electronic fingerprinting system, livescan, as an important technological advance, the author discusses the automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) as a large-scale database of fingerprints served in digital format. Advancements in the AFIS database have encouraged the integration of justice information systems at both the State and local levels in Illinois, especially in Cook County. With the Chicago Police Department actively working to improve their own criminal history record information system, the department expects livescan technology will enable law enforcement officials to assess overall crime patterns at different geographic levels. In addition to technological improvements and advancements in fingerprinting, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office has also developed a uniform booking system and statewide digital mugshot database called the Criminal Apprehension and Booking System (CABS). The author concludes that technologies improving the integration of criminal justice information systems will make the criminal justice system more efficient overall.