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High-tech hardware deployed at Trail detachment

Upgrade spells faster processing of evidence, shorter waits for West Kootenay citizens
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RCMP

A digital fingerprint scanner, directly linked to the fingerprint and criminal record databases in Ottawa, has been installed at the RCMP Detachment in Trail. This device will allow members to become much more operationally efficient in terms of processing both criminal and civil fingerprints.

Additionally, they will be able to provide an enhanced level of service to all communities in the West Kootenay/Boundary Region with respect to the processing of criminal record checks. In some instances, fingerprints are required from individuals before their criminal record checks could be processed. The process of taking ink-based fingerprints, sending them to Ottawa, having them manually examined, and then mailed back could take several months to complete.

Waiting this long for the results was particularly troublesome to the applicants especially if they needed the results quickly for a job application or other important purpose.

With the new digital fingerprint scanner results will be received in approximately one week. Police are currently working through a certification process that will allow them to receive the results almost instantaneously.

Nelson-based Inspector Nick Romanchuk says police are extremely fortunate to have this piece of equipment in the West Kootenay/Boundary as residents from throughout the area will be able to travel to Trail to experience the quick processing times required in some instances. In the past, residents had the option of waiting for the results or driving to some distant location to have their fingerprints taken and processed digitally.