Probe into fingerprint ink shortage

An image of a fingerprint sensed by the world\'s first microchip capable of identifying fingerprints is shown at left on a monitor screen at Nippon Telephone and Telgraph Corp. laboratories in Atsugi, west of Tokyo, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999. The image shown at right is the computerized thinned image of the left image for the sheer identification. The 2.25 square-centimeter chip with 0.5 milimeter thickness, shown underneath the finger, can identify a fingerprint in half a second with accuracy of 99 percent or more. Its developer NTT hopes to commercialize the product in one or two years. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

An image of a fingerprint sensed by the world\'s first microchip capable of identifying fingerprints is shown at left on a monitor screen at Nippon Telephone and Telgraph Corp. laboratories in Atsugi, west of Tokyo, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999. The image shown at right is the computerized thinned image of the left image for the sheer identification. The 2.25 square-centimeter chip with 0.5 milimeter thickness, shown underneath the finger, can identify a fingerprint in half a second with accuracy of 99 percent or more. Its developer NTT hopes to commercialize the product in one or two years. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Published Apr 5, 2013

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Port Elizabeth - Eastern Cape police are investigating the shortage of specialised fingerprint ink in the province.

“This is seen as an isolated and unfortunate administration issue. The SA Police Service management has launched an investigation into the matter,” spokesman Brigadier Phuti Setati said on Friday.

“Should the findings be contrary to the due processes, disciplinary steps will be instituted against those responsible.”

Inkatha Freedom Party spokesman on police Velaphi Ndlovu said the shortage discouraged police officers from performing their duties.

“The Eastern Cape provincial commissioner must account to Parliament's portfolio committee on police as a matter of urgency as to why there is a fingerprint ink shortage.”

The ink is used to link suspects with crimes. - Sapa

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