SINCE the Guyana Police Force (GPF) acquired the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) through the United States (US) sponsored Caribbean Security Basin Initiative (CBSI) project, they have been able to solve three murders and several break and enter and larceny matters.

Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud told this publication last Thursday that the AFIS is an upgraded one of the first generation system they have and the equipment is modern and up to date with the latest technology.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police added that the AFIS has aided in quite a few cases and they are hoping to crack more as time progresses since the integration of the new system with their current database.

He stated that the AFIS has been activated about a week and a half ago and they have the updated system at three police stations across the country at Brickdam, Georgetown, Cove and John, East Coast of Demerara and Central Police Station, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Persaud said they are very pleased with this new development which has significantly boosted their capabilities to solve crimes and ultimately have successful convictions.

The AFIS was acquired by the police force in November last year through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) as part of a U.S.-funded project.

The equipment allows for fingerprints of suspects to be matched with those obtained from crime scenes, or those already in the system in an effective and timely manner.

It can also be used to identify deceased persons. The AFIS further allows for fingerprints to be recorded with an electronic light scan and be stored in the AFIS database. The database is said to be connected to others regionally.

With the acquisition, representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have recently conducted a training session with local police on how to operate the equipment. This data would be sent to the CID headquarters where it will be checked for matching suspects.By By Michel Outridge