NCJ Number
76022
Date Published
1980
Length
23 pages
Annotation
The results of a study of the needs and operational requirements of State identification bureaus are summarized in three areas: organization and administration, functional requirements, and systems development.
Abstract
Questionnaires were completed by 46 State bureaus, the District of Columbia identification division, and FBI personnel. In addition, site visits were conducted at six bureaus and two local agencies. Individual State budgets ranged between $51,000 and $14.6 million annually, with a total national budget of about $60 million to be spent in 1980. Personnel practices are plagued by understaffing, lack of qualified staff, inadequate screening procedures, and lack of competitive salaries. Also, insufficient attention has been paid to bureau improvement and planning techniques. Fingerprint quality control and transmission represent major concerns in functional areas. The bureaus also require a greater degree of computer system coordination with other agencies and increased access to technical assistance in this area. Local, State, and Federal interfaces should be improved, including single source submission to the FBI. Additional systems development considerations include improving management systems, computer capabilities, fingerprint image quality, and technical search and verification procedures. For the functional requirements analysis see NCJ 76020, and for the systems development plan, see NCJ 76021.