THE PROJECT TO REPLACE THE FINGERPRINT SYSTEM IN KANSAS IS RUNNING NINE MONTHS BEHIND SCHEDULE. THE KANSAS NEWS SERVICE REPORTS, THIS SYSTEM STORES AND COMPARES PRINTS USED IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND IN BACKGROUND CHECKS. KANSAS IS THE LAST STATE IN THE NATION USING A SOON-TO-BE-OBSOLETE FINGERPRINT SOFTWARE. THAT SYSTEM WAS SUPPOSED TO STOP WORKING AT THE END OF 2022. THEN, A NEW SYSTEM WOULD TAKE OVER, BUT THAT NEW SYSTEM IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE READY UNTIL LATE NEXT YEAR. IF THE SYSTEM GOES DOWN, IT WOULD HAMPER LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS.
KBI EXECUTIVE OFFICER ROBERT JACOBS RECENTLY BRIEFED STATE LAWMAKERS ON THE DELAY, SAYING THEY HAVE BEEN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT, AND THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO KEEP ON TOP OF IT. THE CONTRACTOR MAKING THE SWITCH, IDEMIA, HAS AGREED TO KEEP THE ALMOST OUTDATED SYSTEM RUNNING UNTIL THE NEW ONE KICKS IN
