Dáil Éireann - Volume 599 - 09 March, 2005

Written Answers. - Garda Operations.

Mr. Bruton Mr. Bruton

  261. Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to outline the system for fingerprinting and matching from the Garda database; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are complaints of lengthy delays between collection of evidence and return of information on matches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8271/05]

Mr. McDowell Mr. McDowell

  Mr. McDowell:The Garda authorities inform me that fingerprint evidence collected from crime scenes by scenes of crime examiners is submitted through the forensic liaison office by divisional liaison officers. Once evaluated and prioritised to determine the usefulness for identification, it is passed to the fingerprint section, where it is then searched against the automated fingerprint identification system, AFIS, database.

855

[855] Information as to evidential value is immediately forwarded to the Garda member in charge of the case. This is often preceded by a telephone call to the scenes of crime examiner. The majority of cases are turned around within a week but occasionally this may not be achievable. I am assured urgent cases are dealt with immediately.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that an ISO accredited quality assurance system is in operation at the fingerprint section where all complaints are logged, in accordance with accreditation requirements. I understand that no complaints regarding delays have been received.

Dáil Éireann 599 Written Answers. Garda Operations.

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