Fingerprints of history sheeters will be stored in a computer system which will be accessible all over the country. With installation of this system, India would become the sixth in the world to do so.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is almost through with digitalisation of fingerprints, the latest in the technology of storing fingerprints, which can be instantly matched with an accused to check his complicity in the crime.

Called the Fingerprint Analysis and Criminal Tracing System (FACTS), it is based on the automatic fingerprint identification system set up in 1994 at a cost of Rs 4 crore, says V K Ramakrishnan, director, Central Fingerprints Bureau (CFB).

Under this system, once the suspect's fingerprints are scanned and entered into the computer, FACTS searches the entire database. The matcher module, a part of FACTS, thenchecks various features of the fingerprints such as ridge count, core delta distance and minutiae, and draws up a list of fingerprints that come closest, explains Ajay Grekwal, a fingerprint expert with the CFB.

"We then compare the original print with those the computer has shortlisted. The database even gives the background such as crime record of the suspect in case there is a match", says Ramakrishnan.

There are around 70 to 80 fingerprint experts at work here and it takes about five experts to finally authenticate the prints, he says.

"Once this digital database is functional, it will be possible to trace a suspect in minutes", says Ramakrishna.

"On an average, we receive around 35,000 slips every year for recording fingerprints. Over the years a database of around six lakh fingerprints has been stored of both convicted Indian and foreign criminals", says Ramakrishnan.

Under normal circumstances, the fingerprints are classified into small groups such as arch, loop, whirl and composites andfurther classified and kept in small bundles as records for easy reference, says Ramakrishnan.

But as records still take time to be located, sometimes a week or even months, digitalising the fingerprints came about to quicken the process.

Till now 1,37,622 fingerprints have been stored in the computer for ready and easy reference, and it would take about 10 months time to feed the remaining records, says Sharda Prasad, director, NCRB.

"All state fingerprints bureau will be networked by year 2000, which will cut down time and facilitate investigations", says Prasad, noting that the whole science of fingerprints is based on two principles - permanency and individuality.

By permanency it means that fingerprint characteristics of a person remain the same from birth to death, unless destroyed by burns or other injuries.

Individuality means uniqueness in the sense that the fingerprint details of each person is different from the other, he says.

Also, it differs from finger to finger of the same person."Under the identification of Prisoners Act 1920, they are recognised as important and valid proofs", says Prasad.

All courts in the world have accepted that fingerprints are a sure sign of establishing the identity of a person - either for civil, criminal or any other purpose, says Ramakrishna.

"Fingerprints can directly link the crime with the criminal. They also cannot be forged, stolen or manipulated like a signature or a credit card," he says.

"Despite advancement in high-tech investigation method, such as DNA testing, the cost of one DNA fingerprint testing being around Rs 22,000, fingerprints still provide the cheapest means with data collection done with our own equipment", says Prasad.

At a scene of crime, fingerprint experts develop them by sprinkling a special powder (white or grey) on various articles. The developed prints are photographed and matched with those of the arrested persons, says Ramakrishnan.

Marks left at the scene of a crime sometimes last for one or two weeks dependingupon weather conditions.

In India, as soon as a person is convicted of any offence, fingerprints are taken and sent to the NCB. A fingerprints slip is prepared containing details about the person, says Prasad.

But Ramakrishnan says that there is a decline in receipt of fingerprint from throughout the country as agencies entrusted with the task of overseeing the exercise are not manning things properly.

"We are not getting fingerprints according to the number of crimes committed", rues Ramakrishna.

As fingerprints still remain the cheapest and surest mode for tracking criminals, this surely is one databank that needs accurate feed and upgradation.