Fingertip identifying device to help cops narrow suspects in Mysuru

MYSURU: Identifying people with criminal records is just as easy as a duck taking to the water for Mysuru City police with the use of the Mobile- Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (M-CCTNS).
By just using a fingerprint scanning device developed under the Union government CCTNS project, which aims to build an all-inclusive system through E-governance, police can recognize offenders having cases pending against them. Earlier it was not so, and the cops had to quiz the suspected person heavily to get the details. It was also cumbersome to check records every time they found someone roaming suspiciously on the streets of Mysuru.
Usually, offenders chose odd times and poorly lit areas or streets or secluded areas to commit an offense. When police officers come across any such suspicious persons getting their details on the spot was not so simple. Now with the availability of advanced devices, knowing their past record is being done in a jiffy. As of now the database of Karnataka is made available.
All the cops must do is record the fingerprint of the suspicious person. If any person has any criminal record, the system will pull it out. Details like case number, nature of the crime, and the jurisdictional police station where the offense has taken place is available.
Mysuru city police commissioner Chandragupta told TOI that the device is being used in all police stations to verify the background of suspicious people being quizzed about their purpose of visit to the city for the last one year. So far, about 2,460 suspects have been verified of which 74 people were identified with criminal records. All these people were involved in illegal and criminal activities and hence their details are uploaded on the network, which is accessible by police officers across the state, he said.
Any miscreant involved in any unlawful activities, their details along with their fingerprints are recorded for keeping track of them and their activities as part of the exercise to prevent crimes, the officer said. The M-CCTNS has been useful for policing, said Chandragupta.
An officer said Mysuru city police officers, especially on beat duty including in the night, carry this device to verify details of suspicious persons on the spot. Officers have found offenders from Bengaluru, Kolar and Mysuru during such examinations. Later their purpose of visit and their presence would be verified. City police are increasingly using the device to ensure safety and protection to residents.