Automatic fingerprint identification system planned for Jamaica

Friday, March 19, 2004

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips announced this week that the Jamaican government plans to introduce a new automatic fingerprinting identification system, which should boost crime fighting strategies.

"We are in the market for new automatic fingerprinting identification systems and other systems which will enable the flow of data and images to move between different points in the country, to allow for more rapid investigation and the interruption of criminal activity, and we are very far down the track in that regard," the Minister said.

In addition, he pointed out that the Ministry and its agencies were seeking to achieve greater efficiencies, by facilitating the flow of data, images, and other information, online between the different police establishments. 

The Minister pointed out that new information technologies allowed for new opportunities for efficiency as well as new opportunities for crime fighting and security. 

He noted that the recently formed Organized Crime Investigation Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force had a section that was exclusively dedicated to the issue of cyber crimes. 

"We recognize, even as we have started that, there is a lot that we need to learn about how to be able to deal with this new phenomenon," he added.

Calling for inter-sectoral partnership, the Minister said: "This is clearly one area in which the public and the private sector need to co-operate, if we are to have an adequate platform for sound economic activity, carrying us into the future". 

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