Law enforcement enlists fingerprint technology to fight crime; Contract awards latest in string of wins for Printrak International

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 1995--The State of Nebraska and Florida's Broward County Sheriff's Office are the latest law enforcement agencies choosing high tech to fight crime.

Both agencies have awarded multi-million dollar contracts to Printrak International for automated fingerprint identification systems.

The company holds the longest winning streak in the industry, with the most recent contract awards from the Czech Republic, Guam, Montreal, Tennessee, Louisiana and the U.S. Secret Service, increasing Printrak's lead as the world's largest supplier of AFIS databases.

The Broward County Sheriff's Office will be the first law enforcement agency in the U.S. to acquire a complete Printrak Series 2000, the fastest and most accurate fingerprint identification system ever developed. The Series 2000 enables consolidation of millions of fingerprint records into one computer database that is accessible through remote stations in other locations.

The Series 2000 system also incorporates a variety of technological advances, which, according to Richard Giles, Printrak president, "makes it lightning fast compared with other products currently on the market."

Broward's $2.3 million Regional Automated Processing and Identification (RAPID) system includes live-scan fingerprinting and mugshot imaging, two leading edge technology features developed and introduced by Printrak.

The RAPID system will be in use this fall at the Broward County Jail and juvenile facility. Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale and other municipalities are scheduled to come online by the end of the year. Eventually, the county's system will interface directly with state and federal databases.

State Patrol Headquarters in Lincoln, Neb., is the central site of the statewide Nebraska Automated Fingerprint System (NAFIS), which incorporates components of the Series 2000 system.

At the heart of NAFIS is the SP 2000, which features leading-edge matching technology originally developed by Printrak for the F.B.I. This search/match processor responds to requests for fingerprint matches from the four input workstations and 10 live-scan stations located at NAFIS remote sites around the state. Results are returned in minutes and are comprised of matching fingerprint images stored on the DSR 2000, Printrak's innovative data storage and retrieval system.

Until this year, Nebraska was one of the few states without a computerized fingerprinting system. As part of the transition, the state's current files of more than 140,000 fingerprint cards are being converted and loaded into NAFIS by Printrak prior to the system coming online.

Series 2000 -- Advanced Fingerprint Technology

"All elements of the Series 2000 represent significant advances in fingerprint technology that focus on real-time response to users for the first time," said Giles.

"The system's open architecture and speed offer two complimentary benefits -- individual matches can be accomplished in seconds and the resident database of fingerprint records can be expanded indefinitely without creating a retrieval bottleneck," Giles explained.

Other technology innovations include the use of advanced chip technology that reduces workstation circuitry by 98 percent and enables distribution of processing power from a central site computer to remote workstation locations. Equally significant innovations advance the performance of search-and-match processors and storage and retrieval operations. Overall, the Printrak Series 2000 system performs 10 times faster or more, depending on a customer's prior practices.

The open system architecture provides other important advantages, including the ability to interconnect with other systems and networks. The Series 2000 is also designed to keep pace with the needs of users by allowing record contents to be expanded to include mugshots, DNA records, voice prints, tattoos, and expanded text information.

Company Information

Printrak International Incorporated, with headquarters in Anaheim, Calif., is a leading developer of biometric imaging technology for personal identification solutions. The company provides law enforcement, social services and other agencies with the ability to capture, process, match, store and retrieve identifying data.

Printrak's primary focus is the development of Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). Throughout its quarter century history, Printrak has developed and marketed high performance, precision imaging systems for fast, accurate identification. Printrak systems are in place worldwide, including installations at the F.B.I., New Scotland Yard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as over 150 other national, state, county and municipal agencies. The company's dedication to research and development accounts for its majority share in the worldwide AFIS market.

CONTACT: Printrak International, Anaheim

Dan Driscoll, 714/666-2700

or

Lages & Associates

Paula Brici Bordigon, 714/453-8080