NSW Police will be the first in Australia to take fingerprint identification systems out of the dark ages and into the future by dropping the prevalent 'ink and print' system for a tech savvy alternative.
The traditional inking and printing on paper, which has been around since 1906, is soon to be replaced by Livescan units that work much like a miniature photocopier and take fingerprints by scanning an individual's hand.
Trialed by NSW Police during the Olympics, the units process 256 grey-scale images and incorporate palm printing.
If integrated with a police station's internal computer network, the unit would be able to process fingerprint ID results immediately.
"From a crime fighting point of view someone could be picked up for a drink driving offence and police may find out instantaneously that they're a suspect in a major crime," David Broadbent of Crim Trac, the government organisation coordinating the national effort, told ZDNet.
NSW Police have recently signed a contract that will see units rolled out around the city, according to Broadbent.
The official launch of the State initiative will be in mid-February.
Despite the cost of the units running into tens of thousands of dollars, Victoria, South Australia, ACT and Northern Territory police are said to be on the path to replacing fingerprint identification processes.
Once more states become involved, Livescan units will be linked up to a nationwide database some time this year, according to Broadbent.
"That's the next stage of the project."
