POLICE officers will now carry mobile fingerprint scanners in a bid to cut costs and save time when identifying offenders.
Merseyside Police first began to roll out the 'Mobile Biometric Fingerprint Scanners' that attach to officers smartphones earlier this year and are currently testing devices across the Roads Policing Unit.
It is hoped the new scanners will be rolled out force-wide by the end of the year.
The devices help officers to check fingerprints against criminal and immigration records while also to identify potential offenders.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, police are allowed to take fingerprints from people who are suspected of offences.
The fingerprint app searches two live national databases, allowing officers to identify a person of interest who may withhold their name.
One of Merseyside Police's dogs trying out the new fingerprint scanner
The system also prompts people to come forward with more accurate personal information, making it quicker for officers to identify them and saves time.
Fingerprints taken using the device are not stored and are automatically deleted from the device after the check has been completed.
Inspector Rob Budden said: “As well as identifying potential offenders, the fingerprint scanner can be used to identify someone who may have taken ill and is unable to identify themselves, which will speed up accurate medical attention.
“It is important that we continually improve our service to our communities.
"By investing in this type of technology, we can provide an efficient service while freeing up officer time and empowering them to deal with suspects there and then.”
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