14-10 - Blue Check Information

                                                     BLUE CHECK IDENTIFICATIONS

The Blue Check device has become an invaluable tool for law enforcement to verify a person’s identity through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (A.F.I.S.) while working in field assignments.  The person’s identity is verified by an automatic search of the Criminal Offender Registrant Index (C.O.R.I.), and other criminal history data bases.

Scenario:  While a deputy is at a hospital for a medical authorization to book (Okay to book) a suspect, the attending emergency room physician asks the deputy to identify another patient, unrelated to the Deputy’s case.  The doctor is aware the deputy has a fingerprint identification system available and this patient is either unable or refusing to furnish identification.  The doctor is seeking to identify the patient for the hospital’s treatment and payment records.  No evidence links this patient to any crime.

Question:  What information can you as a Deputy Sheriff provide?

Answer:  All data, inclusive of identification information obtained via the Blue Check device, is for law-enforcement purposes only.  With the exception of basic identifying information of persons in custody, it shall not be disclosed to anyone outside of law enforcement, regardless of the circumstances.  In the above scenario, patient identifying information (name and date of birth) may be obtained and given for the person in custody, but not for the unrelated patient.

Recently deputies have been asked to provide information obtained via the Blue Check device for non-law enforcement purposes. It is our responsibility to keep all information obtained through any criminal history record search confidential.

Information regarding the content of this newsletter may be directed to Field Operations Support Services.