DPS does not keep fingerprints on file

[troglodyte]

I'm filling out the paperwork to become an instructor. As usual they ask for fingerprint cards (Lubbock FAST doesn't do CHL fingerprints )

I called Monica at the CHL office to inquire as to if I had to get fingerprinted again if I am a CHL holder. She confirmed that I did. I then asked, out of curiosity,if they had our fingerprints on file, why did we have to go through the process again. She replied that they don't keep them on file.

That answers a question that has been kicked around here but raises another question, why don't they keep them on file and save us all a lot of trouble? (I didn't ask her, maybe I should have, but I figured she really didn't know why and it probably would have been a futile discussion, no offense to Monica.)

There may be a good reason, I just can't come up with it.

[Dragonfighter]

Weeelll, that answers (at least partially) my question, "Why do we get printed every time?". Thanks

[frazzled]

Although that figures from a bureaucratic "we're the government and we're here to help," standpoint, the paranoid in me doesn't believe it.

I'm thinking they just can't put the effort into pulling the file from archive.

[WildBill]

Without a set of new fingerprints how would you know if they matched the ones in the file.

[The Annoyed Man]

Without a set of new fingerprints how would you know if they matched the ones in the file.

Without a set of fingerprints on file, how would you know that the new ones belong to the same guy?

[blue]

Without the file whats to match?


Does seem like a simple thumbprint would suffice and then ONLY if expired. Renews on time just continues on.

-Cut the price to $25 for everyone PERIOD and watch how fast this stuff gets trimmed!!!-

[Charles L. Cotton]

Non-criminal fingerprints cannot be maintained in the file, or can they be put in AFIS. For example, when various police departments fingerprint children to use if they are kidnapped, the prints are given to the parents; the PD can't keep them.

Chas.

[joe817]

That's interesting Charles. Is it because of space limitations on storing fingerprints? Or perhaps rights to privacy issues?

Why can't PD and other law enforcement keep them on file?

[powerboatr]

this is weird
why you ask

My military FPs are on file, not sure about the dps ones. But on my recent unlawful arrest in new mexico they did a WHOLE new set and along with the ones they had from my military fp and one page marked other agency.???. I asked several times why i was being re printed and why they had so many pages with my fp on them already. They told me they needed ones for the detention system as theirs are not circulated with OTHER gov entities, i laughed to myself. I suspect like most big brother groups, that they just wanted more fp's plus my favorite a FULL palm.

it is curious why dps wouldn't keep them on file, they are digital, how much space can they take up?

[OldSchool]

Personally, I'm pleased to find out that they do not keep them on file. That tells me that at least some rights for honest folks are still honored. I'll be willing to pay the ten bucks each time, for that.

As to a purpose for submitting new cards every time, I think that's pretty clear: Fingerprints can change, with new scars or other injuries.

[roberts]

Many other states don't require new fingerprints for renewals. Follow the money.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Many other states don't require new fingerprints for renewals. Follow the money.

What states require fingerprints for the initial license, but not for renewals?

Follow the money where? Requiring fingerprints for renewals costs the State about $9 million over five years at the current level of active CHL's. It will go up as we get more.

Chas.

[roberts]

What states require fingerprints for the initial license, but not for renewals?

As a Utah instructor you know at least one.

[Charles L. Cotton]

What states require fingerprints for the initial license, but not for renewals?

As a Utah instructor you know at least one.

Yep, but I'm waiting to hear of the "many other states" you are referencing.

And where are we to trace the money? You didn't answer that one.

Chas.

[srothstein]

Non-criminal fingerprints cannot be maintained in the file, or can they be put in AFIS. For example, when various police departments fingerprint children to use if they are kidnapped, the prints are given to the parents; the PD can't keep them.

Chas.

I am not sure that this is correct. I know my fingerprints are on file from being in the Army and from being a cop (TCLEOSE, DPS and every agency have to maintain cop fingerprints on file - but it could be one of the weird exceptions for cops/military). When I was trained, no one mentioned not keeping any adult fingerprints. There are restrictions on keeping fingerprints from juveniles, even for use in criminal cases. It gets convoluted with pictures and prints of juveniles.

But I have always thought the reason for getting the prints each time is to ensure you are the same person and not taking over someone's identity. The only people making money off fingerprints are the takers like FAST or cities that charge for it. And I did not know FAST could choose not to take fingerprints in one location for a state license. That is a new one on me too.