FBI begins use of Lockheed ID system

CLARKSBURG, W.Va., March 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation says a new fingerprint identification system has entered initial operating capability with the bureau.

The Next Generation Identification System, built by Lockheed Martin, delivers an incremental replacement of the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

NGI provides automated fingerprint and latent search capabilities, electronic image storage and electronic exchange of fingerprints to more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies and other authorized criminal justice partners 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Upon completion, NGI will have the ability to process fingerprint transactions more effectively and accurately, the bureau said.

"The implementation announced today (Tuesday) represents a tremendous achievement in enhancing our identification services," said Louis E. Grever, executive assistant director, FBI Science and Technology Branch. "Already, we're seeing how the NGI system is revolutionizing fingerprint identification in support of the FBI's mission."

In addition to the new fingerprint identification technology, the NGI program has also delivered Advanced Technology Workstations to the FBI's fingerprint examiner staff. The workstations include significantly larger display screens with higher resolution and true color support, allowing staff to see more detailed attributes of biometric data.

"While IAFIS has been effective, criminal and terrorist threats have evolved over the past decade," said Daniel D. Roberts, assistant director, FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division. "Today's environment demands faster and more advanced identification capabilities.

"NGI represents a quantum leap in fingerprint identification that will help us in solving investigations, preventing crime and apprehending criminals and terrorists."