New Motorola system helps solve seven cold-cases
ANAHEIM, Calif., 02 Oct., 2006 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced the
successful completion of a two-phase process for the Miami-Dade Police
Department (MDPD) to upgrade its automated fingerprint identification system
(AFIS) to the latest-generation Motorola Printrak Biometric Identification
Solution (BIS). The new system offers increased storage capacity, increased
descriptor data for each record, and more efficient tools to assist the MDPD in
their efforts to make city streets safer.
The two-phase upgrade provided MDPD with Motorola’s latest biometric technology
advances, including improved search accuracy. According to Glen Calhoun,
superintendent of the Identification Section, these accuracy improvements have
made a real difference at MDPD. “After we installed our most recent upgrade,”
Calhoun noted, “we noticed a 30 percent increase in reverse search ‘hits’ on
our system.” In an AFIS system, reverse searches are executed by comparing an
arrested subject’s prints against a database of unsolved crime scene (latent)
prints, to see if the arrested individual may be responsible for other unsolved
crimes. Calhoun continued: “After seeing these reverse search improvements, we
re-entered 25 old cases, and were able to solve seven homicides by using the
new system.”
Motorola’s modular system architecture and advanced implementation process
improved MDPD’s system over time while minimizing the effects on Miami-Dade
County resources. “Rather than upgrade the system all at once, we chose to
purchase palmprint capabilities first, then upgrade our fingerprint
capabilities later,” stated Glen Calhoun “Motorola Credit Corporation assisted
us with the second phase of the upgrade. Motorola’s ability to work within our
budget has given us the flexibility to provide greater services to the citizens
of Miami-Dade County.”
MDPD’s Motorola Printrak BIS is now capable of storing both fingerprint and
palmprint data. The new system also has interfaces to cities within Miami-Dade
County, as well as to the state system at the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement (FDLE). All fingerprint data was efficiently transferred, via
digital format, from MDPD’s previous system to the new Motorola Printrak BIS.
Installation of the new system was performed with minimal disruption to
crime-solving efforts at MDPD. “The cutover from the old fingerprint system to
the new system was completed in less than two hours,” explained Calhoun. “All
of the Motorola staff was very knowledgeable, which helped us get the new
system up and running quickly.”
“We are proud to have provided the Miami Dade police department with the
biometric tools to achieve enhanced performance. Miami Dade PD, like most law
enforcement agencies, requires uncompromising performance with flexible
implementation to avoid productivity and budgetary roadblocks associated with
IT projects of this kind. We are proud to say our system’s advanced accuracy
and modular technology has provided MDPD with both these requirements,” stated
Darrin Reilly, Motorola Communications and Electronics Inc. (MCEI) vice
president and general manager, Biometrics Business.
Motorola is a leading provider of Mission Critical communications solutions,
including civil biometric solutions and Automated Fingerprint Identification
Systems (AFIS) that help public safety agencies track and accurately identify
individuals. Motorola is one of the world's leading biometric companies, with
solutions in nearly 40 countries and in more than 300 agencies.
Source: Motorola press release
