Cops can confirm your identity — at a traffic stop! Are you impressed?
Police in England and Wales began trialling
hand-held electronic fingerprint readers on motorists Wednesday, the latest
piece of new high-tech equipment being wielded in the fight against
crime.
James “Jimbles” Tompkins, murder suspect
Is he hiding in Luton?
Police in England and Wales began trialling hand-held electronic fingerprint readers on motorists Wednesday, the latest piece of new high-tech equipment being wielded in the fight against crime. Police say the device could save vast amounts of time and resources by identifying suspects on the spot rather than taking them to a police station — should their prints be on the national database.The scanner allows officers to search the 6.5 million fingerprints held on record and should produce a result within five minutes.
The pilot scheme is being tested by traffic police in Luton, northwest of London, and is voluntary because under existing law, members of the public are not obliged to give their fingerprints at the roadside.
“This trial represents an important step forward in our commitment to ensuring we have an effective and efficient police service fully equipped for the challenges of modern policing,” said police minister Tony McNulty.
“The new technology will speed up the time it takes for police to identify individuals at the roadside, enabling them to spend more time on the frontline and reducing any inconvenience for innocent members of the public.”
Well, I don’t quite understand how standing around at the roadside with my friendly neighborhood copper “reduces any inconvenience”. But, this could be a useful bit of investigative technology. Being able to confirm that you are not a dangerous murdering git — could end up saving you some time.
Posted: Thu - November 23, 2006 at 09:15 AM