2020 NCHIP - Criminal History Improvement

The goal of the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) is to improve the Nation's safety and security by enhancing the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information and by insuring the nationwide implementation of criminal justice and noncriminal justice background check systems. BJS provides direct financial and technical assistance to the states to improve criminal history and other related records and to build their infrastructure to connect to national record check systems both to supply information and to conduct the requisite checks.

Under the FY 20 NCHIP project, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will use funds to modernize and replace the current Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). The current system has reached its end of life. The new AFIS system will allow GBI staff to perform 10-Print and Latent Print identifications in an advance technology format. The new system will have the ability to accept any future updates or enhancements as dictated by state or federal legislation, operational needs, or public demands. Increased capabilities would also allow GBI to communicate with local law enforcement agencies regarding the latest fingerprint technology.

Georgia’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) became operational in 1990 and was the first AFIS to integrate fingerprint identification and Computerized Criminal History (CCH) update processing. Both criminal and civil fingerprints are submitted electronically from livescan devices and AFIS/CCH responses, as well as FBI fingerprint search responses when appropriate, are returned to the submitting agency within a timely manner. The AFIS also provides for latent print searching by GBI’s Division of Forensic Sciences (DOFS) and remote ten print and latent print searching by local agencies.

(CA/NCF)