Impact of the Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems essay

Unlike in the past, when it might take days or weeks to arrive at a list of suspects, AFIS can identify prints before suspects have a chance to run. Furthermore, the superior technology results in more convictions: “As suspects are booked into jail, a positive identification can generally be made while the person is still in custody, even if he is held only for several hours” (Fjetland, 1989, p. 22). By contrast, suspects in the past “often were released on bail before a positive identification could be made, frequently resulting in their escape” (p. 22).

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The accuracy of the AFIS also results in more confidence among the police officers who use the system. They know they can rely on it to make an accurate match, and to quickly lead them to criminal suspects.

Because of the accuracy and speed of AFIS, more criminals are being caught and prosecuted than ever before. Fjetland has noted that “when the AFIS helps solve a case, it provides good, hard, physical evidence” (Fjetland, 1989, p. 22). This can be used in court to prosecute the suspect, and thus brings many criminals to justice. Often, the AFIS will link a criminal not only with the crime in question, but with other, unsolved crimes from the past as well. Criminals who have been caught with AFIS usually have no choice but to plead guilty. The evidence against them of perfectly-matched fingerprints is simply too strong to be denied. In fact, when cases which were solved by using the AFIS do go to court “the fingerprint technician is an expert witness and the testimony is very rarely challenged” (p. 22).

An additional benefit of the AFIS is that criminals so identified often turn to plea bargaining in an effort to reduce their sentencing. As a result, “the identifications are creating a domino effect, causing criminals to identify their accomplices and fences, and to confess to other crimes” (Fjetland, 1989, p. 22).

It is important to note that in spite of all its…………………..