Suffolk Police has introduced mobile handheld fingerprint scanners to help in the identification of possible offenders.
The ‘Lantern’ kits electronically check a fingerprint against the IDENT1 database, a national database that stores all fingerprints from people arrested for recordable offences. If the fingerprint is recognised the device will confirm the name and details of the person, including relevant crime reference data.
In November 2006 an NPIA (National Police Improvement Agency) pilot began with 100 of the Lantern devices being deployed to ten forces. In March 2008 an additional 100 devices were sent out to a further 10 forces and the pilot has now been extended again until 2010, with Suffolk Police being another force to acquire the kits.
Lantern’s overarching purpose is to establish and speed up identification, but it also greatly reduces identification arrests. Previously, if someone was giving false details or they were unable to verify who they were then it may have taken a considerable length of time to identify them. If someone’s identity couldn’t be established then they would have to be detained and returned to a police station to have their fingerprints taken.
These devices can take a print anywhere and complete a check on that print in only a few minutes. This speeds up the process for the police but also reduces inconvenience for any innocent members of the public. Once the print is taken and verified it is wiped from the system.
In a NPIA user survey 95% of officers said the Lantern kit had a positive effect. The kit can be used successfully to catch disqualified drivers, detect people wanted on warrant, identify unconscious and deceased people and even assist with identity theft.
Pc Fisher of the ANPRIT (Automated Number Plate Recognition Intercept Team) who have been using the devices says the two obvious benefits are time saving and aiding identification,
“The Lantern devices can quickly establish someone’s identity, which allows an officer to make more informed decisions. Having this technology means that fewer criminals can evade justice but also that there is a significant reduction in the need to arrest or detain people for identification purposes. It saves time for both the officer and the member of public and it allows our officers to stay on the frontline for longer.”
