New Breed Of People Search Engine Launches: Spock.com Aug 10, 2007
While the general public likely hasnt been aware of it, the CIA or NSA has actually also been working on a similar sort of search engine system which automatically composes secret dossiers of information on individuals from a multitude of sources including credit card information, criminal databases, as well as many of the same online sources used by these web services like ZabaSearch, ZoomInfo, and Spock. Spock has already sparked a small amount of concern just as all people search engines... (Search Newz)
California Security Officers Are the Best-Trained, Most Extensively Screened in the Nation May 30, 2007
May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Jeff Flint, Executive Director of the California Association of Licensed Security Agencies, Guards and Associates (CALSAGA), issues the following statement today in response to the Associated Press report on "Private Security as the Weak Link in Homeland Security." "California private security officers are the best-trained, most extensively background-checked, and most professional in the nation. The Associated Press story today highlighted the need for more states to be... (PR Newswire)
U.S., Canada at odds over fingerprint issue May 27, 2007
The U.S. government wants to be able to take suspects' fingerprints and compare them with terrorist and criminal databases, officials said. The prints could be stored in databases for future use. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Fingerprint dispute scuttles US-Canada border site plans May 25, 2007
The government wants to be able to take suspects' fingerprints and compare them with terrorist and criminal databases, US government officials said. The prints could be stored in databases for use if, for instance, the traveler seeks to enter at another border crossing. (Boston Globe)
Supervisors attend to county matters May 24, 2007
Approved purchase of the CrimeStar program to help link all county and city criminal databases together at the cost of 2650. Tabled decision to allow Barge Timber to close of road near Yellow Creek Road until determined it is a private road. (Louisville Winston County Journal, MS)
66 Workers at Agency Had Records, Inquiry Finds May 4, 2007
Mr. Kimbrough called for checking all new commission employees against state and federal criminal databases, and setting a cap on youth placements. He also recommended a ratio of one correctional officer per six youths, rather than the current average of one officer to 15 youths, and sometimes as many as one to 24. (Foster's Daily Democrat)
PBC schools to take fingerprints for keeps Apr 23, 2007
For more than a decade, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which collected the fingerprints and compared them to criminal databases, threw out countless school employee fingerprints. NEW. (The Palm Beach Post)
Alleged Shooter Was Denied Handgun Permit Apr 14, 2007
Helmke said more states should do background checks because they have better access to criminal databases than federal authorities do and state checks are often more thorough. Despite what his estranged wife's attorney said is a history of depression and mental health problems, there was apparently nothing in LaCalamita's FBI background check that prevented him from buying the shotgun. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Did gun law loophole aid office shooter? Apr 14, 2007
Helmke said more states should do background checks because they have better access to criminal databases than federal authorities do and state checks are often more thorough. No mental health checkDespite what his estranged wifes attorney said is a history of depression and mental health problems, there was apparently nothing in LaCalamitas FBI background check that prevented him from buying the shotgun. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Office spree raises questions on gun laws Apr 14, 2007
Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, would like to see more states do their own background checks because they have better access to criminal databases than federal authorities do and state checks are often more thorough. "The bottom line is, we make it awfully easy in this country to get weapons," Helmke said. (CNN -- Law)
Views differ on FSDB workers Apr 1, 2007
The checks include a fingerprint scan as well as a review of state and national criminal databases. The Act says that those who have been "convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude shall not be employed, engaged to provide services, or serve in any position requiring direct contact with students.". (The St. Augustine Record)
Police car torched in Lodi; fire ruled arson Mar 18, 2007
Computer, which includes report-writing capabilities, links to criminal databases and suspect photos: 6,200. Source: Lodi Police Department. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Unisys data project registers No. 1 rating Mar 15, 2007
Another successful project Unisys performed for the state was the connection of all the state's criminal databases into the Justice Network, or JNet. Databases linked by the network include those from the State Police, the Department of Corrections, the Board of Probation and Parole, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and the Department of Transportation. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
Surveillance questions raised over new police license plate scanners Feb 19, 2007
The multi-camera system can be installed in an unmarked car and will read license plates at multiple directions and angles, search criminal databases and notify police, said Capt. Jack Strenges, commander of the violent-crimes division. "We can create our own databases for gang members, sex offenders or any type of people that we are looking for," Strenges said. (Sun-Sentinel.com)
Priest case brings to light order sealing arrest warrants Feb 1, 2007
According to the declaration, these documents "require the inclusion of Social Security numbers and dates of birth of criminal defendants in order to enter this information into criminal databases" and "to ensure that the correct person is arrested.". "There is a substantial likelihood, should this identifying information be omitted, that incorrect people would suffer arrest due to the inability to adequately identify the person for whom the actual warrant was issued," Lalli wrote. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Nevada News)
The Sweetheart Murders Jan 27, 2007
DNA technology and criminal databases had become more sophisticated, and older samples could now go through more updated testing and be run through newer criminal databases. It wasn't long before police came up with a hit from that same birthday gift, a hit with the certainty of one in 240 trillion. (CBS News -- 48 Hours)
Six Questions for Dale C. Carson on Staying Off the “Electronic Plantation” Jan 20, 2007
Being arrested might not necessarily lead to a prison stretch, but it will lead to permanent placement in the electronic plantation, the term Carson uses to describe the growing web of federal and state criminal databases ... Being arrested might not necessarily lead to a prison stretch, but it will lead to permanent placement in the electronic plantation, the term Carson uses to describe the growing web of federal and state criminal databases. (Harper's Magazine)
* Third terror suspect absconds in Britain Jan 18, 2007
BLUNDERS: The news came shortly after the government said it was ordering a review of all criminal databases after hundreds of files were not entered into police computers AP, LONDON Thursday, Jan 18, 2007, Page 6 ... On Sunday, the government said it was ordering a review of all criminal databases after acknowledging that files on hundreds of criminals were not entered into police computers ... A government spokesman said Reid was writing to Cabinet colleagues to secure agreement for a review... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* World News Quick Take Jan 16, 2007
United Kingdom Government reviews files The government said on Sunday it was ordering a review of all criminal databases after acknowledging that files on hundreds of criminals were not entered into police computers ... A Home Office spokesman said Home Secretary John Reid, the country's top law-and-order official, was writing to Cabinet colleagues to get agreement for a review of British criminal databases and the way information was shared between them. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Criminals Row: Home Office Silent Jan 15, 2007
Mr Reid has announced a root-and-branch review of Britain's criminal databases. More on This Story. (Sky News)
Reid swings the axe on official Jan 15, 2007
In a bid to quell the growing row, Mr Reid announced yesterday that he was ordering a thorough review of Britain s criminal databases. But there were also claims that two men convicted of serious offences in Europe went on to kill after returning to Britain. (The Sun)
Home Office chief suspended in row Jan 15, 2007
In a bid to quell the growing row, Mr Reid announced yesterday that he was instigating a root-and-branch review of Britain's criminal databases. Ms Ryan will also meet EU counterparts this week to discuss improvements in systems for sharing information. (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
Civil servant suspended over error Jan 15, 2007
It came as the home secretary, John Reid, launched an overhaul of all Britain's criminal databases, including separate Whitehall lists covering teachers and those working with vulnerable adults. A spokeswoman for the First Division Association union, which represents top civil servants, confirmed one of its members was involved. (Guardian Unlimited)
Airline "Risk Assessment": Defending the Right to Snoop Dec 9, 2006
The ATS data is fed to the National Targeting Center, a multi-agency center that crunches the data against criminal databases and watch lists. If your data raises too many concerns, or some questions can't be answered, you'll receive a"red flag"and be pulled aside for questioning by a Customs and Border Patrol agent. (Time.com)
DHS Passenger Scoring Illegal? Dec 7, 2006
At the National Targeting Center, the ATS program of passenger data from international flights, including names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers, and uses watchlists, criminal databases and other government systems to assign risk scores to every passenger ... The government could still check passenger names against watchlists and criminal databases for possible matches, according to Harper's analysis. (Wired News)
U.S. eyes tighter security for visa-free travelers Dec 2, 2006
The administration would model the program on an Australian system requiring travel agents to supply authorities with personal details about travelers, which could be checked against terrorism and criminal databases. Rosenzweig said EU officials, who have complained about potential privacy violations, agreed to release much of the same biographical information in the October accord. (Yahoo News -- Aviation and Aerospace)
DNA Tests On Fast Track In Park Rape Investigation Nov 17, 2006
State Police said DNA analysis would be finished within a day or two and immediately checked against a national directory of convicted sex offenders and an array of other criminal databases. State police scientists "are going as quickly as they can," said Lt. J. Paul Vance, a state police spokesman. (FOX61, CT)
Safety first at St. Albans High Nov 6, 2006
The kiosk from LobbyGuard Solutions LLC requires all visitors to sign in using an electronic device that takes their picture, checks their background against national sex-offender and criminal databases and prints a stick-on ID badge for them to wear. Visitors can scan their drivers licenses or punch in their own names. (Charleston Gazette, WV -- News)
7NEWS Learns Source For Attack Ad Is ICE Agent Oct 21, 2006
When questioned, the Beauprez campaign said it was the same person because federal criminal databases carried the same FBI numbers in both cases. Previous Stories. (TheDenverChannel.com)
Colorado Candidate's TV Ad Investigated... Oct 18, 2006
When questioned about the man's identity, the Beauprez campaign said Romo and Medina were the same man because federal criminal databases indicated the two men had the same FBI numbers. Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer said the campaign tried verifying that information through public records but could not _ raising the possibility that the databases were illegally accessed. (The Drudge Report)
Crist, Davis would both lift felon voting ban Oct 18, 2006
Sterling Ivey, a spokesman for the Department of State, said the state would cross-check long-standing voters against criminal databases in the future as resources permit. Berg said if the new governor makes this change, it could have a profound change on the lives of felons in Florida. (The Miami Herald)
Owens Tells CBI To Hurry Inquiry On Ritter Claim Oct 17, 2006
When questioned about the man's identity, the Beauprez campaign said that Romo and Medina were the same man because federal criminal databases indicated the two men had the same FBI numbers. Information from federal databases such as the National Crime Information Center, is restricted to law-enforcement officials. (CBS 4, CO)
Airport Arms With iPaqs Sep 29, 2006
The software gives the iPaqs real-time access to driver-license data and photographs; vehicle registrations; stolen-vehicle information; arrest warrants; weapon registrations; and local, county, state and federal criminal databases. Logan Airport's law enforcement officers protect the facility's nearly 2,400 acres in East Boston, a neighborhood across Boston Harbor from Boston itself. (eWeek)
Pirro, Cuomo aim to halt wrongful jailings Sep 22, 2006
Pirro's campaign, in a statement, said she supported legislation to facilitate comparison of old DNA with new criminal databases and the videotaping of police interrogations. But the campaign said it was still reviewing specific proposals, including the DNA bill that passed the Assembly last year. (Newsday)
Flight schools' wings were clipped severely in aftermath of 9/11 Sep 11, 2006
gov. Applicants are screened against national and international criminal databases, a process that includes taking fingerprints and digital photographs of students. Of the more than 53,400 flight students who have applied through the TSA since October 2004, when the program began, 119 have been denied. (Herald-Tribune)
ALL 10 FINGERS: US expands visitor fingerprinting to deter attacks... Sep 9, 2006
Until now, the data had been checked just against terrorist watch lists and criminal databases. Copyright 2006 Reuters. (The Drudge Report)
Criminal databases merged Sep 6, 2006
Some features on this site require that JavaScript be turned on. Home Delivery Special. (Sacramento Bee -- Politics)
DNA may hold key to mystery Aug 19, 2006
In 2003, seven years after her gruesome death, investigators submitted two drops of blood found on JonBenet's underwear to state laboratories here for matching with national criminal databases. The blood was largely ignored by Boulder police detectives, but became a major focus of the investigation after Lacy's office took over the case in 2002. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
once taught in Bay Area schools Aug 18, 2006
" John Karr worked as a fourth-grade student teacher at Pueblo Vista Elementary in Napa from January through early April of 2001 while trying to earn his teaching credential from Sonoma State University, said Sharyn Lindsey, assistant superintendent for human resources for Napa Valley Unified School District. He also held an emergency substitute permit, which allowed him to take over the class in which he was student teaching when the teacher was away, which he did eight times. Background... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Ramsey suspect's past full of questions Aug 18, 2006
Both checks would have included national criminal databases and revealed arrests for less serious crimes such as drunk driving, she said. "We had two tracks of fingerprinting on Mr. Karr, and to our knowledge, he was clear," she said. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Wi-Fi for the Masses Jul 21, 2006
Some forces have introduced computers into their cruisers for searching DMV or criminal databases, but these hookups are as slow as your first dial-up modem. Forget about downloading a mug shot. (FastCompany)
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Flier's funding fodder in race Jul 10, 2006
Jon Porter to allow school districts easier access to national criminal databases for teacher background checks. But some supporters don't expect swift action in the Senate and at least one of them is blaming Sen. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Nevada News)
Polling places feel effects of Lunsford Act Jul 5, 2006
Election workers assigned to polling places at Osceola County schools this political season will be fingerprinted and checked against criminal databases to conform with the state law designed to keep sexual predators out of schools. Opinion is divided on whether the Jessica Lunsford Act covers poll workers, however. (Orlando Sentinel)
Sex offenders file to bring wives, kids into U.S. Jun 25, 2006
(U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) only began checking the background of petitioners against multiple criminal databases after 9/11 in 2002, said committee spokesman Terry Shawn in an e-mail. Before that, (the agency) only checked the criminal history of beneficiaries. (McAllen Monitor, TX)
Bill allows nationwide criminal background checks by schools Jun 15, 2006
The House passed a bill Tuesday that would allow school officials access to national criminal databases. The vote was 415-1. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Nevada News)
A New Tack for Airport Screening: Behave Yourself May 18, 2006
Those who are identified as suspicious will be examined more thoroughly; for some, the agency will bring in local police to conduct face-to-face interviews and perhaps run the person's name against national criminal databases and determine whether any threat exists. If such inquiries turn up other issues countries with terrorist connections, police officers can pursue the questioning or alert Federal counterterrorism agents. (Time.com)
Schools vexed by predator act May 15, 2006
Nancy Argenziano, R-Crystal River, said the House bill didn't go far enough because it wouldn't require checks of state and national criminal databases. Instead, workers would be screened against a national sex offender database and their driver licenses would be checked for a marking indicating a registered sex offender, a new symbol that would have been added to identification cards under both bills. (The Palm Beach Post)
Report: Chris Rock Hired Pellicano To Investigate Pregnant Model Apr 28, 2006
LOS ANGELES -- Private investigator Anthony Pellicano allegedly searched confidential criminal databases for information on a Hungarian model who claimed she was carrying Chris Rock's child, it was reported Tuesday. The disclosure adds the biggest celebrity name thus far to the list of people whom Pellicano purportedly sought to help by intimidating courtroom foes, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing court records and interviews. (NBC4.tv, CA)
Chris Rock Linked to Crooked Hollywood P.I. Apr 26, 2006
Secondary Navigation. By Josh Grossberg Tue Apr 25, 5:58 PM ET. (E! Online)
Pellicano Had Ties to Chris Rock Apr 25, 2006
By Greg Krikorian, Chuck Philips and Robert Welkos, Times Staff Writers April 25, 2006 Private investigator Anthony Pellicano allegedly searched confidential criminal databases for incriminating information on a Hungarian model after she asserted a paternity claim against comedian Chris Rock, court records and interviews show. The disclosure adds the biggest celebrity name thus far to the list of people whom Pellicano purportedly sought to help by intimidating courtroom foes. (Los Angeles Times)