KBI completes upgrade to state fingerprint identification system

(KOAM) - The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has announced the successful completion of a $6.89 million upgrade to the state's fingerprint and palm print identification system, marking a significant advancement in law enforcement technology and capabilities.

The project, initiated following approval from the Kansas Legislature in 2020, replaced the aging Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) with the modernized Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) .

"The upgrade to ABIS will aid the criminal justice community in countless ways. This new technology makes the process of identifying individuals and determining if they have a criminal history record much more seamless," remarked KBI Director Tony Mattivi.

According to the KBI, the need for the upgrade became evident as AFIS, with its outdated software and technology, became increasingly difficult to support and maintain. The transition to ABIS involved comprehensive surveys of key stakeholders, vendor selection, and meticulous system development and implementation.

"This modernized system not only improves our ability to identify individuals but also strengthens our collaboration with federal partners like the FBI through the integration with their Next Generation Identification system," Director Mattivi added.

The new ABIS system, which went live on May 1, 2024, has already demonstrated its enhanced capabilities to law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice partners across Kansas.

"We know crime extends beyond the boundaries of cities, counties, and states, so law enforcement agencies must have a reliable way to exchange identity records in order to solve complex crimes. Kansas's ABIS now meets this challenge," emphasized Director Mattivi.

The successful deployment of ABIS represents a major step forward in advanced technology to support public safety initiatives in Kansas.

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