NCJ Number
188623
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 42-45
Date Published
March 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the future use of palmprint technology, in addition to the automated fingerprint identification system, in the solving of criminal cases.
Abstract
Palmprint technology was introduced in the field of criminal investigation five years ago. In the past, collecting and keeping latent palmprints was not a priority since without a suspect or a database comparisons could not be conducted. Yet, most latent palmprints come from cases of breaking and entering or burglary. Agencies not keeping latent palmprint or partial palmprint evidence or not taking them at all may want to reconsider. Today, many vendors with livescans and automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) also have palmprint capabilities or are working to do so. Palmprint capabilities are seen as less expensive now than 5 years ago, with the biggest obstacles seen as funding and a clear demonstration that the technology is really available. The article continues with considerations necessary when purchasing the palmprint technology. These include: (1) having an educated staff to collect, search, and compare latent fingerprints and palmprints; (2) what will be done with the palmprints after they have been collected; and (3) whether the system purchased has been tested and verified for accuracy. Just as livescan fingerprinting, whole hand imagers are seen as common for the future. As palmprints are routinely obtained into digital archives, it will become easier to justify the use of palmprint matching to a higher tendency to "hit" and close cases. Several palmprint livescans and Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems, along with their capabilities are presented.