IP: FBI touts online fingerprint plan

[Dave Farber <farber@cis.upenn.edu>]

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP) - A $640 million electronic database of 
fingerprints will help police around the country decide within two 
hours whether a suspect should be freed on bail or held in custody, 
FBI officials say. Instead of waiting more than 20 days for critical 
information, judges and law enforcement agencies in 15 states now can 
uncover a suspect's identity and criminal history before leaving the 
courthouse. All 50 states are expected to be connected within the 
next few years. See 
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560648984-3ad