A replacement for the FBI’s Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) has been completed and has reached operating capability by its developer Lockheed Martin.
The new solution, called the Next Generation Identification System (NGI), provides the same capabilities as IAFIS as far as automated fingerprint search capabilities, image storage and sharing of fingerprints with other federal agencies and state and local law enforcement departments. But it will also be capable of more effective and accurate matching and collecting of fingerprints.
While FBI officials are quick to point out that the IAFIS was an effective tool in fighting crime and terrorism for the agency, it has been in use since 1999 and is in need of advancements to stay as effective a tool.
Beyond simply providing the framework and software for storing and searching fingerprints, the NGI program is also expected to provide Advanced Technology Workstations to the FBI’s fingerprint examiner staff which will give examiners access to larger screens, higher resolution and better color for viewing better details of the fingerprints. ![[end]](/resources/bullet/thirdfactor-4.gif)
