Kansas Bureau of Investigation Completes ~$7M ABIS Upgrade

Kansas has successfully upgraded its fingerprint database, as announced by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). The upgrade was facilitated by the approval of $6.89 million from the Kansas legislature, aimed at replacing the outdated system.

The previous Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) had become difficult to support and maintain due to its aging software and technology. In response, the KBI implemented the new Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which promises enhanced efficiency and modern capabilities.

The ABIS now houses more than two million fingerprint records and over 596,000 palm prints, and is designed to collect, manage, and compare these prints for identification purposes.

“The upgrade to ABIS will aid the criminal justice community in countless ways,” said KBI Director, Tony Mattivi. “This new technology makes the process of identifying individuals and determining if they have a criminal history record much more seamless.”

The investment in ABIS marks a significant step forward in biometric technology for the state, with the new system not only enhancing the capacity to store and process biometric data, but also improving the accuracy and speed of identification processes. The upgrade is expected to support law enforcement agencies across Kansas, aiding in quicker and more reliable identification of suspects and criminals.

The use of biometrics by law enforcement agencies around the globe has sharply increased over the past several years, with a variety of needs being met by the technology. Recently, a number of police forces in Canada implemented biometric monitoring systems to track the health of detainees, demonstrating the applications of the tech beyond its utility in the field.

Source: KSBH

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July 4, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis