AFIS and Technical Search Unit

In the AFIS and Technical Search Unit, Fingerprint Technicians perform analysis, comparisons, evaluations, and verification of fingerprint images to determine identity or non-identity. Fingerprint Technicians establish criminal history records during the evaluation phase if there is no prior criminal history record. The SBI's Fingerprint Technicians provide statewide SAFIS network support, address fingerprint related issues, edit electronic fingerprint submissions, and determine the retention for fingerprint submissions. The Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System (SAFIS) is comprised of over 100 Live Scan devices in North Carolina. A Live Scan device is the live video capture of fingerprint images and has the capability of electronically submitting those fingerprint images and descriptive date to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) for processing.