Databases
Hold information on suspects, witnesses, crimes, informants and other relevant information.
Police National Computer
PNC us used to
... [Show More] help investigations and share information of both national and local security. Makes critical missions easier for the police, UK enforcement agencies and other criminal justice agencies throughout the UK. PNC also provided real time data on people, vehicles, crimes and properties and well as alerts such as: missing people, stolen objects or vehicles as well as vehicles requiring discreet checks.
00:02
01:29
PNC Effectiveness: Effective
Provides useful information when investigating crimes. Has links to European databases to allowing sharing of info internationally. Provides real time checks on vehicles, properties and people as well as crimes.
PNC Effectiveness: Not Effective
Database does not show photos. Basic information. Generally not used as often anymore.Police often have to guess whether a person is the suspect they are looking for based upon the description of the suspect.
Police National Database
Available to all UK police forces and selected law enforcement agencies. This allows different organisations to share the information they have on a specific suspect. Contains 3.5 billion records. 20 Million records added every month. 222 databases. 4000 users. This database specializes in safeguarding children and vulnerable people, countering terrorism and prevents organised crime.
PND Usefulness: Useful
Allows sharing of information between forces. Handles billions of records and images. Can help prevent and identify different crimes. Includes allegations as well as number of convictions.
PND Usefulness: Not Useful
Separate Database to Police National Computer. Supposed to be replaced in 2020.
PNC AND PND
PNC and PND are supposed to merge together to form Law Enforcement Data Service.
National DNA Database
Created in 1995. Individual samples obtained and stored in a computer. Connects individuals to crimes.
DNA Database Usefulness: Useful
Can lead police to certain suspects. DNA records are kept for comparison. Technology improvement.
DNA Database Usefulness: Not Useful
Human rights and privacy means that suspects who are not convicted have their DNA destroyed. There is a risk of data abuse. Contamination of evidence is still possible.
Fingerprint Analysis
Fingerprints are the ridges, whorls and valley patterns at the end of each finger. No two people have the same fingerprints. Everyone's fingerprint is unique. There is a one in 64 billion chance that two people will have the same fingerprints. Can be found on any hard surface including the human body.
Visible (Patent Prints)
Visible prints are formed when blood, dirt, ink, or paint is transferred from finger to surface. Patent prints found on wide variety of surfaces. Paper, cloth, wood, metal, glass and plastic.
Invisible Prints (Latent Prints)
Formed when a body's natural oils are deposited onto another surface. Found on a variety of surfaces however they are not as visible and are a lot harder to find.Requires the use of fingerprint powders, or chemical reagents to find these prints.The smoother the surface, the greater the chance of finding the prints. [Show Less]