Rockville One of First to Do Inkless Fingerprints

Put away the ink pad and wet wipes, Rockville’s Police Department is now using innovative inkless technology for fingerprinting. Many may think only criminals would be affected by this new system, but technology has made fingerprinting an important part of many Rockville programs.

A majority of those who use the service are law-abiding citizens who need their fingerprints for background checks when applying to jobs. Many Rockville youth programs require adults who are coaches or instructors to have their fingerprints checked against databases.

“I would say 98 percent of the people we fingerprint here are not criminals. We’re swamped at times because…[inkless technology] really ensures for more accurate prints and decreases the chances that the prints will be rejected and sent back,” said Lee Potter, administrative bureau commander for the Rockville City Police.

The Police Department obtained the new equipment earlier this year as part of a $1.5 million grant from the federal government. Rockville is now one of the only cities in the area to have this technology.

“It does away with the old style of inking up someone’s hands and trying to take a fingerprint,” said Terry Treschuk, Rockville’s chief of police. “It’s much more effective and much more efficient and frankly, it’s a lot cleaner. It’s working well for us.”

The inkless technology produces hard-copy prints through a process of scanning and computer enhancement. The machine immediately rejects any prints that are not above 75 percent accurate, according to Potter.

Prints are then sent to the Maryland State Police for review and returned to potential employers or citizens with a complete record of a person’s criminal history, including minor offenses.

Fingerprints are processed on a walk-in basis between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Residents pay $2; for non-residents the cost is $5. There is no cost when applying for City positions.

For more information about the fingerprinting program, call 240-314-8900.

 — By Mary Robbins
Reprinted from Rockville Reports April 2005