Agency Contact Information
Authority (Repealed)
Laws 1929, Chapter 16 established the Bureau of Criminal Identification. The provisions were codified in Arizona Code Annotated, 1939 as Sections 45-201 through 45-214. Those sections were subsequently renumbered as Sections 13-1241 and 13-1242 in 1956. The provisions were renumbered as A.R.S. §§41-1650 et seq. in 1968 when the responsibilities were transferred from the State Prison to the Arizona Highway Patrol. The provisions were renumbered again and are now found at A.R.S. §§ 41-1750 et seq.
The Fingerprinting Division within the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is currently responsible for conducting background checks and issuing fingerprint clearance cards. See A.R.S. §§41-1758 et seq.
Function
The Bureau was established as a stand-alone entity to provide assistance to county sheriffs, police, marshals and constables to promote greater efficiency in detecting and apprehending criminals and to enforce the criminal laws of the state. The measure required information, including finger and thumb prints, measurements, photographs, plates, outline pictures and descriptions of persons who were arrested or known to be habitual criminals, to be indexed in a manner to allow ready reference and comparison. Responsibilities were transferred to the State Prison in 1956 and to DPS in 1968.
History
Laws 1929, Chapter 16 established the Bureau of Criminal Identification to provide assistance to county sheriffs, police, marshals and constables to promote greater efficiency in detecting and apprehending criminals and to enforce the criminal laws of the state. The Superintendent of the Bureau, appointed by the Governor with consent of the Senate, was required to be a recognized fingerprint expert. The Superintendent was required to appoint an assistant who was an identification expert, skilled in the science of fingerprints and other methods of identifying criminals.
The measure outlined a process for the Bureau and other law enforcement agencies to obtain, record and share information to identify criminals. The information, including finger and thumb prints, measurements, photographs, plates, outline pictures and descriptions of persons who were arrested or known to be habitual criminals, was required to be indexed in a manner to allow ready reference and comparison. The measure also established reporting requirements and authorized cooperation and exchange of information with organizations, both in state and out of state.
Laws 1956, Chapter 72 established the offices of the Bureau within the State Prison and transferred supervision to the Superintendent of the State Prison. All equipment, information, files and data were transferred to the care, custody and control of the Superintendent of the State Prison.
Laws 1968, Chapter 209 established the Department of Public Safety to create and coordinate services for local law enforcement agencies, protect public safety, establish modern services to prevent crime and apprehend violators, and provide training for law enforcement personnel. The measure outlined DPS powers and duties and transferred specific authority from other agencies to the new department, including the Highway Patrol and Highway Patrol Reserve from the State Highway Department; and the Bureau of Criminal Identification, which had been under the jurisdiction of the superintendent of the state prison. Thirty days after the effective date of the act, the Bureau became part of the Arizona Highway Patrol, known as the Criminal Identification Section. The measure also transferred related records, equipment and funds.
Laws 1998, Chapter 270 standardized fingerprinting procedures for state agencies and created a system, administered by DPS, to issue fingerprint clearance cards. The measure established the Division of Fingerprinting within DPS, created a two-tiered system of clearance for employment and listed the criminal offenses that disqualify a person from obtaining a clearance card to work with certain client populations. DPS uses an automated fingerprint identification system to store, search and retrieve electronic images of fingerprints and demographic data. See DPS website for additional information.
Sources
- Arizona Code Annotated 1939
- Arizona Revised Statutes
- Session Laws
- Laws 1929, Chapter 16
- Laws 1956, Chapter 72
- Laws 1968, Chapter 209
- Laws 1998, Chapter 270
Department of Public Safety website
Related Collections at Arizona State Archives
- Record Group 031- Department of Corrections, 1875-2008
- Record Group 152 – Department of Public Safety
- Record Group 227 – Board of Fingerprinting