Issues and Challenges Encountered by Police Officers in Automated Fingerprint Identification System Operation

Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) play a vital role in modern law enforcement by aiding in the identification and apprehension of criminals through fingerprint analysis. However, despite their significance, challenges in operating AFIS remain the main hindrance to its effective utilization. Thus, this study aims to investigate the issues and challenges faced by police officers in the Philippines with AFIS. Employing a convergent parallel mixed methods research design, quantitative data were collected through a survey questionnaire, while qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews. The study participants comprised six experienced Filipino police officers purposively chosen for their exposure to AFIS operations. The study uses the mixed method. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U Test were used during quantitative data analysis, while thematic analysis was used in analyzing qualitative data. The study findings revealed that the top challenge faced by police officers in the Philippines is comparing and storing fingerprints in the AFIS database, primarily due to insufficient training and technical support. Themes such as regular training, technical support, and continuous learning emerged to address the challenges related to fingerprint quality, technical issues, storage limitations, and hardware problems. The study also revealed that Filipino police officers encounter moderate challenges when operating AFIS, with variations depending on sex, age, and length of service. In conclusion, the study underscores the significance of continuous training, technical support, and effective communication for successful AFIS operations. Law enforcement agencies are urged to prioritize providing proper training and technical support to ensure accurate and reliable utilization of this technology in policing.