Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) CharlesScarlett has added his voice to the call for the police to use fingerprint data, collected on persons who have been enumerated, to assist in criminal investigations.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force implemented an automatic fingerprint identification system last October.

According to DCP Scarlett, while the database is limited, the police were able to make 182 identifications up to December last year. An additional 45 identifications have been made up to February 15 this year.

"Imagine the positive impact we would have if we had access to the database at the Electoral Office," Scarlett said yesterday, while addressing Guardian Life's seventh annual awards ceremony, held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.

Extensive database needed

He noted that criminals leave their fingerprints at many crime scenes, but the potential for usage of the evidence is limited due to the unavailability of an extensive database.

"As we grapple with the crime problem as a nation, perhaps the time has come for us to consider trading some of our rights for our security," he told the gathering.

Director of Elections Danville Walker last year backed a potentially controversial proposal to create legislation that would allow the police to use fingerprint data collected by the EOJ.

Mr. Walker argued that, given the current crime wave, the suggestion to introduce this piece of legislation was timely.

The proposal was put forward by Jean Anderson, a former president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Justice of the Peace.

However, Delroy Chuck, the Opposition Spokesman on Justice, argued that a pledge had been made against using voters' data for any such purpose.