With threats on the rise and criminals growing more sophisticated by the day, citizens trust law enforcement agencies to stay one-step ahead.
For law enforcement, processing arrests involves the entry of bio-demographic information, taking fingerprints and possibly mug shots of the suspect. The data is then sent to state and federal authorities to determine if there are existing arrest records, verify that the suspect has not provided false information and to determine if there are any outstanding warrants. Historically, fingerprints were taken with ink and then scanned, and often returned due to lack of detail or inaccurate scans. In some cases, AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) or other database hits could take days to return a search result to the arresting agency.
The key to keeping communities safe is accuracy, reliability and speed with solutions that help you protect the public when it counts.
With modern livescan technology, law enforcement now has the option of using a device that electronically captures images, fingerprints, palm prints, mugshots, scars, marks and tattoos, as well as irises, signatures, voice and even possibly DNA. AFIS or MBIS (Multi-modal Biometric Identification Systems) and even the livescan station itself have the ability to provide an agency with nearly instantaneous results and feedback on a suspect. This technology allows state and local agencies faster access to precise, accurate matches to help solve more crimes, detain repeat offenders and keep their communities safer to live, work and play.
At NEC, we’re proud to offer award-winning biometrics solutions, such as our SmartScan™, to help take state and local law enforcement to the next level.
Easy to Use
NEC’s SmartScan offers a modern, user-friendly interface with the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system. Touch screens, with swipe and pinch-and-zoom functionality, are as familiar to operators as using their mobile devices. This modern, intuitive interface guides the operator through the record creation process minimizing errors and increasing efficiency.
The user is guided through the record creation workflow on an innovative, ergonomically designed and height-adjustable “UnCabinet.” The UnCabinet includes large 22” displays, prominent foot pedals to make capturing images hands-free, and a flexible configuration based on the needs and price point of a department, agency or organization.
Security and Maintenance
With so much personal data captured, our livescan system must be secure from malware, hacking and unauthorized access. Multifactor authentication and virtualization-based security is available to protect credentials, roles and system privileges.
Our SmartScan includes centralized management for local and remote control plus a convenient chat function for system administrators to manage the system and remotely assist operators during the record creation process. NEC Customer Service Centers also provide 24/7 support and remote diagnostics to help technical support resolve issues immediately.
Multi-Modal Biometrics Capture
The livescan system is only as helpful as the biometric scans it can capture. NEC’s SmartScan produces superior quality images from a variety of biometric captures using top-tiered hardware and validate using both NEC superior and standard NIST image quality checks.
Depending on the needs of a department or agency, our solution offers support for many different peripherals and modes of capture:
- Articulating Arm and IrisID R100 and CMI Tech EF-45 devices for Iris Capture
- Voice Capture and Audio-Visual Chatting via the Logitech® Brio 4K HD Webcam
- Improved Mugshot and SMT (scars, marks and tattoos) Capture per Evolving NIST Best Practice Recommendations and Additional Camera Devices from Canon, CMI Tech, IrisID and Logitech
- Comprehensive Friction Ridge Capture including all Fingerprints and Palmprints using either Crossmatch and Green Bit devices as well as Integrated Biometrics and JENETRIC
- Supplemental signature capture, barcode and magstripe reading of IDs, driver’s licenses and smartcards are also available as an optional feature from a variety of devices
NEC’s SmartScan solution is truly livescan made smart!
Certifications and New Use Cases
Since NEC SmartScan introduction in 2016, many major features have been incorporated, such as advanced multi-modal biometrics capture, as well as the documentation of new civil use cases. Our Advanced Recognition Systems (ARS) team recently accepted an order of 100+ SmartScan Stations for implementation by a federal agency.
While NEC ARS solutions are available around the world, in the U.S. our livescan system is currently certified in Alabama, California, Georgia, Nevada and Texas. More state certifications are coming – check with your NEC ARS Account Manager for the latest list and availability. An emerging NEC SmartScan “UnKiosk” and alternative software for driver’s license applications and renewals is also available, as well as Identity Management Self-Enrollment.
NEC SmartScan also offers:
- Pre-booking options for Field and Remote operations, including a new remote booking application
- FBI Certification for Crossmatch® LScan and Green Bit DactyScan capture devices
- Printing of hard copy cards and reports
- USB ports for additional plug-in peripherals
- Industry standard hardware for a cost-effective solution
- Full standards compliance and design for ANSI/NIST formatted records and FBI EBTS specifications, XML IEPD and NIEM
- Integration with AFIS, MBIS, CCH and RMS systems
Return on Investment
NEC’s SmartScan offers an almost immediate return on investment. Your livescan operators will have streamlined processes so they can efficiently scan more applicants and suspects in far less time, and with fewer rejected scans. NEC’s ARS solutions are NIST validated, adaptable, secure, and continually improving in order to help increase productivity and exceed the goals and objectives of law enforcement and other civic agencies.
In addition, if there are budget concerns, NEC has the ability to assist; NEC Financial Services offers creative financing and leasing options to support system upgrades.
To learn more about the NEC SmartScan, you can explore here, and find out more about NEC’s biometric solutions by visiting necam.com/ARS.

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