Ohio County Implements Electronic Fingerprinting

VAN WERT, Ohio — Van Wert Correctional Facility’s inmate processing area no longer relies on black ink and wipes after officials implemented a new electronic fingerprinting system.


The LiveScan system, which electronically captures and stores finger and palm prints, was purchased by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office with a more than $38,000 grant from state authorities, officials say.


Together with the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, which maintains the state’s criminal history and Automated Fingerprint Identification System, Ohio’s attorney general’s office is dispersing almost $3 million in federal funding to expand the use of electronic fingerprint technology at the local level.


Creating a statewide electronic criminal history and fingerprint identification database will enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability law enforcement operations and inter-agency cooperation, officials say.


All but a few of Ohio’s 88 counties have accessed grants to implement new electronic fingerprint systems under the project, officials say.


The attorney general’s office is seeking additional federal funding to equip all local law enforcement agencies with the LiveScan units.