Increasing Efficiency in the Criminal Justice System - The Use of New Technology for Criminal Identification and Latent Print Processing

• NCJ Number: 79013
• Author(s): J A Ratkovic
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 157 pages
• Sale Source: Rand Corporation
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: The original version of this study was prepared as a dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the doctoral degree in policy analysis at the Rand Graduate Institute. Rand Paper Series.

Annotation

This report uses policy analysis methods to examine the utility of automated systems in criminal identification and latent fingerprint processing. It concludes that the benefits outweigh the costs, especially if image matching is used.

Abstract

The report examines a number of alternative solutions (including economic, political, and technical ones) and determines the most promising approaches to the problem of identifying criminals through their fingerprints. A general approach to a system is specified, the major uncertainties in solving the problem are identified, and the research required to resolve the uncertainties is defined. Organizational, political, and social constraints for the solution alternatives are also examined to ensure total system feasibility. Following a needs assessment of the current status quo in criminal identification processing and latent print processing, automated alternatives are considered at the State and local levels; the hardware and technology required to develop such systems are generically described, along with new technology advances in computer display and matching algorithm areas. Equipment costs are estimated and cost-benefit comparison are made between the proposed automated and existing manual processes. It was recommended that the automated system encompass not only the central processing bureau but also the local police agencies and that rapid communication links be established between criminal justice agencies to improve system performance. Digitally stored electronic fingerprint imagery is seen as the key to the development of a new generation of automated processing systems. Similar hardware and software configurations between the identification and latent print usage are recommended to cut costs, presuming that the identification system is develped first. Eventual resolution of uncertainties concerning system utility, hardware availability, and print classification are seen as likely to influence automated systems development favorably. Charts, tabular data, and 65 references are supplied. Appendixes contain discussions of fingerprint characteristics, the matching process, print imagery versus print minutiae, and relevant military experience. Appended materials have individual reference listings.