POLICE will trial mobile fingerprint scanners on our streets within months but they will rely on people volunteering their prints for the devices to be effective.
Police Minister Michael O'Brien told The Advertiser police would trial some of the mobile scanners "mid-year".
"As part of the trial, the scanners will be used to assist with identifying a person who has consented to being fingerprinted," he said.
Under current legislation, unless someone consents, police can obtain someone's fingerprints only once they are charged.
"Following the trial, the Government will consider drafting legislation to allow widespread use of the technology, which would provide potential benefits such as faster identification," Mr O'Brien said.
"Police officers spend large amounts of time identifying offenders who provide false details and this often requires them having to return to the police station to obtain fingerprints."
Mr O'Brien said the scanners would be particularly useful in country areas where officers might have to travel long distances back to a police station to fingerprint a suspect.
The Advertiser revealed last year that the State Government had budgeted more than $2.6 million for 150 fingerprint scanners, which in 90 seconds can match a person's fingerprints against the national database of more than 3.3 million records.
The Law Society of SA is concerned that broadening legislation could violate individual rights, particularly if the person has not been charged with an offence.
A police spokeswoman said it would not comment further until the trial was complete.
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