AFIS
Government & Politics abbreviation · Police
| Stands for | Automated Fingerprint Identification System |
|---|---|
| Categories | Government & Politics |
AFIS stands for Automated Fingerprint Identification System, a police abbreviation.
Computer system that stores fingerprint images and searches them to identify suspects, arrestees and unidentified bodies. State and local agencies run AFIS systems linked to the FBI's national database.
Example: Latent prints lifted from the window frame were run through AFIS and matched an arrest record.
Usage notes
The FBI's national system, IAFIS, launched in 1999 and was replaced by the Next Generation Identification (NGI) system, which adds palm prints, facial recognition and iris data. A fingerprint examiner still verifies computer matches. Errors such as the 2004 misidentification in the Madrid train bombing case prompted reviews.
Related abbreviations
More police abbreviations
- ABH – Actual bodily harm
- ALPR – Automated license plate reader
- ANPR – Automatic number plate recognition
- APB – All-points bulletin
- ASBO – Anti-social behaviour order
- ATL – Attempt to locate
- B&E – Breaking and entering
- BAC – Blood alcohol concentration
- BOLO – Be on the lookout
- BWC – Body-worn camera
- CCW – Carry concealed weapon
- CEW – Conducted electrical weapon