Published Wednesday, 05 December, 2007 at 03:32 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
COMFIT technology enhanced to identify offenders
The State-wide roll out of new ‘Comfit Live’ technology will improve the ability of police to identify and catch offenders throughout Queensland, Police Minister Judy Spence said today.
Ms Spence said the new remote-access computer technology being launched this week, will allow witnesses and investigating officers in different locations around the state, to work in real-time with a comfit artist in Police Headquarters Brisbane, to create an image of an offender in a single session.
“The introduction of this technology means comfits can now be created while fresh in the witness’s memory, and the investigating officer can receive the final image much sooner,” Ms Spence said.
“Under the previous system, finalising a comfit image was time consuming, as multiple changes had to be made over numerous days, while the images were created and faxed between the operator and the witness, before the final comfit was completed.
“Now, through the use of remote-access technology, police and witnesses around the state will be able to work with an artist in a central location, to describe a suspect, and watch as the digital image is created in real time.
“This will improve accuracy and speed, enhancing the ability of investigating officers to locate suspects for major crimes.
“The state-wide roll out of this advanced system highlights this Government’s commitment to providing Queensland Police with enhanced technology to fight crime in our community.”
Inspector Adrian Freeman, from the Photographic and Electronic Recording Section, Forensic Services Branch said the new technology will not only speed up the cycle required to finalise a comfit, but a more accurate recollection of the potential suspect will be captured because the witness is able to view the image as it is being created.
“For major offences, a ‘Comfit Live’ session can now be scheduled where the investigating officer and the witness are invited by the comfit operator into a remote-connection computer session,” Inspector Freeman said.
“The witness is able to view the image on-screen and provide verbal feedback to the operator via telephone. Adjustments can then be made to the comfit until the witness is satisfied with the accuracy of the image created.
“When the comfit is finalised, the image is recorded on the QPRIME database, where it can be accessed by police officers throughout the State.”
Media contacts: Minister Spence’s office: 3239 6218 Police Media: 3015 2444
Ms Spence said the new remote-access computer technology being launched this week, will allow witnesses and investigating officers in different locations around the state, to work in real-time with a comfit artist in Police Headquarters Brisbane, to create an image of an offender in a single session.
“The introduction of this technology means comfits can now be created while fresh in the witness’s memory, and the investigating officer can receive the final image much sooner,” Ms Spence said.
“Under the previous system, finalising a comfit image was time consuming, as multiple changes had to be made over numerous days, while the images were created and faxed between the operator and the witness, before the final comfit was completed.
“Now, through the use of remote-access technology, police and witnesses around the state will be able to work with an artist in a central location, to describe a suspect, and watch as the digital image is created in real time.
“This will improve accuracy and speed, enhancing the ability of investigating officers to locate suspects for major crimes.
“The state-wide roll out of this advanced system highlights this Government’s commitment to providing Queensland Police with enhanced technology to fight crime in our community.”
Inspector Adrian Freeman, from the Photographic and Electronic Recording Section, Forensic Services Branch said the new technology will not only speed up the cycle required to finalise a comfit, but a more accurate recollection of the potential suspect will be captured because the witness is able to view the image as it is being created.
“For major offences, a ‘Comfit Live’ session can now be scheduled where the investigating officer and the witness are invited by the comfit operator into a remote-connection computer session,” Inspector Freeman said.
“The witness is able to view the image on-screen and provide verbal feedback to the operator via telephone. Adjustments can then be made to the comfit until the witness is satisfied with the accuracy of the image created.
“When the comfit is finalised, the image is recorded on the QPRIME database, where it can be accessed by police officers throughout the State.”
Media contacts: Minister Spence’s office: 3239 6218 Police Media: 3015 2444