Belgian Police Department Uses Fingerprint Capture System

For its 100th anniversary, the Belgian Police Department's Legal Identification Division is getting an innovative fingerprint capture system. Steria Benelux has been chosen to equip the Technical and Scientific Police Department's Legal Identification Division with a fingerprint-capture system.

Steria is acting as "prime contractor" for this project. The system will be based on Cogent Systems' new "Automated Palm Print and Fingerprint Identification System" (APFIS).

Steria will enable remote connection by installing the FIT (Fingerprint Image Transmission) peripherals required for the capture and transmission of finger and palm prints and traces, and will also be in charge of all necessary integration services.

The federal police's Legal Identification Division conducted an in-depth evaluation of each offer, including intensive performance testing for each of the proposed solutions. Steria's offer of Cogent Systems' APFIS technology demonstrated its high-level performance and resulted in the police awarding the contract to Steria.

Cogent's new APFIS system will replace an earlier version, which was installed 10 years ago. It will support all future new functionalities, provide more precise results with a shorter response time, and include new, improved functionalities. Indeed, the new system can store finger- and palm print trace images at 1,000 pixel per inch (ppi) resolution and allows traces to be examined in comparison with flat or rolled fingerprints as well as palm prints.

This new identification system will increase the Belgian Police's crime-solving capacity. It will offer increased search precision, significantly improved response times, a palm print search option, and other innovative functions as well. For example, the new system will offer 90 percent precision in finger- and palmprint trace searches and up to 99.9 percent precision in fingerprint searches.

Moreover, the new system will allow a fast, high-quality exchange of dactyloscopic data with other countries (with Interpol and other countries covered by the Prüm Treaty). High-level integration with the other IT systems used by the Belgian Police has been planned in order to optimize the flow of information.

"This contract at the heart of Europe considerably strengthens our presence there, where Cogent Systems technology is already being used in other European Union countries," said Cogent Systems' president and CEO Ming Hsieh. "The strength of Cogent’s technology resides in its precision, its reliability and its quick implementation; characteristics that played a crucial role in the awarding of this contract."

"For Steria, this is a strategic project in systems integration and security. Our expertise in biometric systems integration unquestionably played an essential role in the final phase of evaluation,” said Steria Benelux CEO René Luyckx. “This project illustrates our ability to offer our public- and private-sector customers innovative solutions delivered by our biometrics expertise center."

Featured

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.