Automated Fingerprint Identification System

Idaho is a charter member of the Western Identification Network (WIN). WIN is a nonprofit corporation, formed in 1988, that administers a multi-state regional Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). This cooperative arrangement provides the capability to search fingerprint records in nine states. BCI manages the Idaho segment of the database.

AFIS contributes to effective law enforcement. BCI searches new arrestees fingerprints to ascertain if the individual has a prior arrest record. Also, latent prints from crime scenes are processed and searched against the databases often discovering the identity of the perpetrator of crimes.

The system originally created primarily to identify prisoners and latent prints, is now being utilized to identify persons with criminal records for applicant purposes. AFIS is used to screen people for employment in positions of trust in our society. Many government agencies, nonprofit groups, civic groups, as well as private businesses routinely use fingerprints checks of criminal history information as a regular part of the pre-employment or pre-licensing process. Please see the criminal history page for more information.