North Carolina: Police Will Take Fingerprints from People in the Field
December 8th, 2010Here’s a glimpse at the future of the U.S.: Army Reveals Afghan Biometric ID Plan; Millions Scanned, Carded.
And here’s what the opening phase looks like.
Via: McClatchy:
Next month, 13 law enforcement agencies in the region will begin using a new handheld device that lets an officer scan a person’s fingerprints and seek a match in an electronic database – all without going anywhere.
Police say taking fingerprints in the field will allow them to work more efficiently and safely. But the ACLU North Carolina in Raleigh worries that the device may allow officers to violate privacy rights.
The ACLU is concerned about what will become of fingerprint scans that are sent to other databases, such as the National Crime Information Center.
“Part of the danger is the idea of the government creating a database on its citizens,” said Sarah Preston, policy director for ACLU North Carolina. “Citizens should be allowed some degree of privacy.”
I tried to think of a way of making your fingertips unscannable without causing permanent damage. Perhaps a few drops of superglue smeared over them and allowed to dry?
I’d recommend the infrequently-practiced technique of outright refusal based on fourth amendment rights. Although given the ultraconservative nature of this supreme court, I’m almost certain that they’d jump at the chance to give this police-state tactic their full approval.