Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 73: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the reports that the decision to outsource to the United States the transposition of all existing fingerprints on the automated fingerprint identification system may jeopardise the integrity of the chain of evidence in future cases; if he has discussed the matter with the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7571/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the transposition of fingerprints records onto the upgraded Garda Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) was achieved by back record conversion, an internationally accepted method for such a task. The process was carried out at a location in the United States of America as part of the contract for the delivery of the new system and personnel from the Garda Technical Bureau, working with strategic partners, secured the highest security transport method and travelled with fingerprint records to and from the US.

The Garda authorities also advise that all processes were fully documented to ensure the integrity of the conversion and that there are no issues concerning the integrity or robustness of the AFIS system. All electronic identification of fingerprints in criminal cases are compared with the original hard copy and I am assured that the processes and procedures of fingerprint identification operated by Fingerprint Section of the Garda Technical Bureau are to the highest professional standards.