Viewers of CSI and other crime shows often observe agents comparing fingerprints for possible matches with prints on file in a system referred to as AFIS. DNA is also compared for possible matches with DNA on file in a system known as CODIS. The following includes a brief description of those systems and some other helpful forensic systems and agencies that characters in reader’s future stories might find useful.
Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS)
Many states have AFIS systems; IAFIS is a national, automated fingerprint search system maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division of the FBI. CJIS is the largest division in the FBI, and it maintains the largest biometric database in the world. Its Criminal Master File contains the fingerprints and criminal history of more than 55 million persons. Law enforcement agencies submit fingerprints obtained during arrests and those obtained during employment background checks of persons seeking sensitive posts or jobs having close contacts with children. Data can be sent to the system electronically, in hard copy or in machine-readable format. A device used to scan live fingerprints into AFIS is known as a LiveScan. Obtaining prints from a scanned tenprint card is known as a CardScan (or DeadScan).
According to an FBI announcement, IAFIS is to be replaced by an improved identification system.
ChemFinder
Searches in this free internet database are initiated using a chemical name, molecular formula, weight or Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry number. The database contains manufacturer’s data including that about chemical structures and physical properties.
Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)
CODIS is basically a computer program that interfaces with local, state, national and and internationsl DNA databases. CODIS database records are referred to as CODIS profiles. A profile includes a specimen identifier, an identifier for the laboratory responsible for the profile, and results of a DNA analysis, which is known as a DNA profile. Originally, CODIS included only two indexes: a Convicted Offender Index and a Forensic Index. The first includes profiles of individuals convicted of crimes. The second index includes profiles developed from biological material obtained at crime scenes.
More recently, additional indexes have been added. These include an Arrestee Index, a Missing or Unidentified Person Index and a Missing Persons Reference Index. Comparisons of data within one or more files has resulted in thousands of matches linking investigations to each other and crime scene evidence to previously convicted offenders. For example, comparing data in the Forensic Index to data within itself provided leads that linked investigations. Comparing data in the Forensic Index to data within itself and to data in the Offender Index helped solve many rape and homicide cases. Comparing data in the Forensic Index to data within the Offender Index identified potential suspects. Each comparison match is, of course, confirmed or refuted by a DNA analyst.
Sometimes a comparison is close but not perfect. This suggests that the owner of the DNA might be a relative of the felon whose DNA is recorded in the database. Criminologists maintain that criminal activity tends to run in families. Some 51 percent of incarcerated felons have at least one other convicted relative. A recent study predicted that, if the DNA of family members were to be tested, comparison hits would increase by some 40 percent. The ethics and legalities of thus involving innocent persons, however, remain controversial.
Each state or laboratory decides what profiles of which crimes are to be included in CODIS. Laboratories, in total numbering about 150, in every state participate in CODIS. Every state now has a provision for collecting DNA profiles from offenders convicted of certain crimes.
Forensic Information System for Handwriting (FISH)
This database is maintained by the U.S. Secret Service. Handwritten text such as that contained in a threatening letter can be scanned, digitized and recorded as arithmetic and geometric values. These values can then be compared to those in the database, and close comparisons submitted to the Document Examination Section for possible confirmation.
Glass Evidence Reference Database
This database is maintained by the Technical Supporting Working Group, which is an interagency group including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The database contains more than 700 glass samples obtained from manufacturers, distributors and vehicle junkyards. The source of an unknown piece of glass cannot be determined by researching the database, but the relative frequency of two glass samples from different sources having the same elemental profile can be estimated by analyzing the glass using plasma mass spectrometers.
Ident-A-Drug
Tablets and capsules containing drugs are often imprinted with codes to identify the drugs, especially if the drug is a narcotic or is listed in a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration schedule. Tablet and capsule color and shape are also clues to the identity of drugs. A private company, the Therapeutic Research Center, publishes data that help identify drugs.
Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS)
This system is maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. It’s database contains information about bullet and cartridge casings retrieved from crime scenes or from test-fired guns found at crime scenes or on suspects.
International Ink Library
This collection, which contains analysis results of some 9,500 inks, is maintained jointly by the U.S. Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service. The inks date back as far as the 1920s. Annual pen and ink submissions by manufacturers, as well as purchases of pens and inks, are analyzed; and results are added to the collection. Comparison data can be used, for example, to determine the earliest date that a letter was produced.
National Automotive Paint File
The FBI maintains a database having more than 40,000 samples of manufacturer’s automotive paint samples. Paint chips can be compared to the samples to determine what manufacturer might have manufactured a vehicle that bore the paint chip. See also Paint Data Query.
National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
This database is maintained by the FBI to serve as the central database for tracking crime-related information. It is linked to similar systems maintained by individual states and contains data received from local, state, federal and tribal law enforcement agencies as well as nonlaw enforcement agencies such as vehicle registration and licensing agencies.
Paint Data Query (PDQ)
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police maintains a database of chemical composition data gathered from manufacturers, bump shops and junkyards. It contains data from most domestic and foreign manufacturers and a majority of vehicles marketed in North America during the last 35 years. Data in the database can often be compared with that of a sample from a car to determine the make and model of the car. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers are willing to share their paint composition data.
PharminfoNet
This is a free internet database that includes uses and potential side effects of prescription drugs; however, the generic or brand name of the drug must be known to research it.
RxList
This is a free internet database that includes patient summaries, potential side effects and interactions of prescription drugs; however, the generic or brand name of the drug must be known to research it.
SoleMate
In this commercial database from the United Kingdom, basic features of a shoe print are each assigned one of a set of codes. The codes are used to correlate the features with shoe data in the database, which contains data for more than 12,000 shoes of various types. A difficulty in identifying a shoe brand is the fact that the same sole is sometimes used by different manufacturers.
TreadmarkTM
Pattern, size, damage and wear are used by this commercial product to identify individual casual, sports and work shoe prints. Imprint data can then be compared with footprint data from a crime scene or with footwear of a suspect. Impression images can be preserved by methods such as photography or adhesive, dust or gel lifts. The product has a database including such information as names, dates of birth, criminal record numbers, places of interest and similar offenses of suspects.
TreadMate
This commercial product is marketed by the same United Kingdom company that markets SoleMate. As is similar to SoleMate, basic features of a tires and treads are each assigned one of a set of codes. The codes are used to correlate the features with database information relating to that of more than 5,000 vehicle tires.
Additional fact:
Long thought to be identical, the DNA of identical (monozygotic) twins has been found to be nearly but not quite the same. Variations seem to occur when double-stranded DNA breaks and genes are left out, or extra copies are inserted, during a repair process. Since even identical twins diverge genetically during their lifetimes, researchers are now looking into whether an individual’s cells are all identical or whether they also diverge.
6 Comments, Comment or Ping
Kathleen
What a great post on resources! Thanks for compiling it!
Apr 19th, 2008
Thomas Sullivan
You left out the International Database of Indispensable People for Writers Research. 1 resource in the database. Amalgam Archimedes Jones III. You’ve done it again, Bobby. Thanks and congrats.
– Sully
Apr 19th, 2008
Janet Berliner
Fantastic. We are unbelievably fortunate to have you in our midst. Thank you so much.
Question: In this age of evil, would it not be morally justifiable to fingerprint every newborn?
–Janet
Apr 19th, 2008
Brian Hodge
You doth rock, Bob.
Apr 19th, 2008
Teresa
Even DNA can lead one in the wrong direction these days, and I expect it will continue to become an increasingly sticky wicket over time.
“The engraftment had worked. A wave of relief washed over Drew as he hugged his family. There was more, the doctor said. Drew wasn’t just a new man. “Your blood is 100 percent female,” he said. Eric Drew, now a 37-year-old man, had the blood of an Italian girl. It was like something out of a Tom Clancy thriller. If he cut his finger while committing a crime, investigators would think that the criminal was a girl.”
The man who lost his name…
I hope the link works.
Apr 20th, 2008
Robert Jones
To all:
Kindly don’t interpret my delayed response to your most welcome comments as being a sign of indifference. They, of course, mean a lot to me. I simply had to wait until this morning, when I could use my office computer, which can actually connect to the internet.
Kathleen:
You’re very welcome, and thank you for your encouraging comment.
Sully:
EGAD and DRAT! I can’t believe I overlooked the IDIPWR resource yet again. I used to use it almost exclusively. Thank you also for your supportive comments about my piece and database and for the masculine spelling.
Janet:
And I am unbelievably fortunate to be in your midst. Thank you.
I couldn’t find much in the material that I could shape to be very entertaining, but I hope the information proves useful.
Regarding the fingerprinting of newborns, one of the documents I came with bore my little bare footprint. Hmmmm, in my mind I just compared the size of it to my present size 15 tread. There appears to be a significant difference.
Since persons in control tend to favor absolute control, if we’re not careful, someday everyone might be subject to a chip insertion that could provide information about one’s location, one’s lunch, etc.
Brian:
Thank you. I never could sitteth still.
Teresa:
The accuracy and usefulness of DNA are increasing as we click and clack our keys. Unfortunately, the moral complexities apparently have the potential for also increasing. Thank you for the comment and for the interesting article site address. I’ll print it to read at home.
RCJ
Apr 21st, 2008
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