Malawi Police Service (MPS) aimed at improving its justice delivery process through speedy and precise investigation of crime and detection of criminals. However, MPS’s fingerprint bureau was collecting fingerprints and other important information manually, storing them in physical records, and using the same manual procedure for detecting and analyzing criminal information. This outdated process did not meet the critical requirements of the criminal investigation department. As a result, MPS faced delays in fingerprint searches, piling up of paper records, poor filing of results, duplicate entries, higher workforce needs to manage outdated records, loss of important data, and frequent human errors.
To enhance crime-fighting capabilities and create a safer Malawi, MPS decided to implement an automated system that would enable real-time sharing of criminal information across local and international police departments. Techno Brain conducted a thorough study of MPS’s requirements and implemented a Criminal Tracking System (CTS) built on the Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) at their Lilongwe headquarters. This solution automated the collection, storage, and retrieval of fingerprints and demographic data in a centralized database with role-based access for various police stations. The CTS included multiple modules such as Booking Station, Fingerprint Analysis, Latent Examiner applications, and a web-based user administration module, improving search, matching, and verification processes.
The implementation of CTS drastically improved investigation efficiency and crime prevention rates by enabling faster identification of fingerprints and reducing the average search time. It minimized risks associated with manual procedures and enhanced overall service delivery and operational efficiency within the fingerprints bureau and investigation department. The system facilitated timely sharing of criminal information nationwide and internationally, improved coordination and communication across police stations, and strengthened law enforcement operations. This resulted in better management of criminal records, more accurate and speedy investigations, and improved tracking of criminals, suspects, and repeat offenders, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure Malawi.
