Why is the Scioto County Clerk of Courts, reportedly, missing 600 fingerprints in criminal files? There are a couple of possible scenarios. Maybe the person compiling the files for the Clerk’s office simply forgot to add the fingerprint cards. After all, human error is inevitable. The idea of sloppy folder compilation 600 times doesn’t seem practical.
The other scenario is that the fingerprint cards weren’t done. But, that would mean a systemic failure in the booking and processing procedures at the Scioto County Jail. It seems the latter is the case. We have been told that there have not been any fingerprints taken at the jail in the last two years.
The Scioto County Courthouse is buzzing with murmurs of Judge Mowrey being extremely upset at this revelation. Phone calls, texts, tweets, and finger-pointing abound. This is a basic practice that comes with every booking made at every jail (large and small) across the Country. Yet, at the Scioto County Jail, it is alleged that this simple task was skipped, time and time again, for the last two years.
On its face, that’s a terrible situation for current and cold cases. Those records are crucial to have in the database, not only for local purposes but for crimes that may be committed elsewhere. Law Enforcement 101, check the fingerprints. Check the database for possible identification of a victim or suspect.
In addition, it has come to light, that there may also be an issue with the body scanner at the jail. We are told, when the machine gets too hot, it simply shuts off. This allows for the potential of contraband and weapons to enter the facility.
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So, what is going on? How do 600 fingerprints go untaken? How do we ensure the safety of inmates and staff if the body scanner just shuts off at random? There must be a person in charge of these issues. There must be a redundant set of Best Practices in place to head off enormous oversights of this magnitude.
We will continue to update as this story unfolds.
For an interesting story about the history of fingerprints along with the famous William West and William West story, check out this resource.
UPDATE:
As promised, we have updated information on this issue. SCDN issued FOIA requests regarding the Body Scanner and its maintenance and/or service records. The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office did comply and we’ve had time to review those documents. Here are the essential facts. Anyone interested in seeing the full report, simply use our contact form and reach out.
The Sheriff’s office entered into a 3-year Service Agreement with ProActive Technology Solutions, Inc located in Dublin, OH effective 01/01/2020 and was signed by Sheriff Donini on 01/09/2020.
Here is the Scope of Coverage exactly as it is worded in the document.
Scope of Coverage:
1) PTSI will respond to service calls placed to 1-614-206-5380 by phone within 1 hour of the time we receive the call. Typical is less than 30 minutes.
2) PTSI will respond on-site as soon as possible on all critical calls. Typical is within 24 hours.
3) PTSI will respond on-site within 72 hours or as soon as possible on all routine calls. The typical is 48 hours.
4) Phone Support per terms and conditions of this agreement aka PAM link
5) *PTSI will provide PAM labor for SecurPASS whole body Contraband Scanner system annually which meets manufactures recommendations:
On an annual basis
Two QC and mechanical visit per system per year
(1) PM Check Lists upon completion (2) PM travel is included
(3) Parts not included b) Two electrical Calibration annually during the term of this agreement
i) PM Check Lists upon completion ii) PM travel is included iii) Parts not included c) Annual ODH required physicist survey 6) PTSI will supply *labor for repairs as needed during normal working hours, see #9
below for labor and travel as applicable as defined for outside of normal working hours 7) Parts, glassware, assemblies, components, software updates, subassemblies, etc. are included 8) All work outside the scope of this agreement would be billed at the rates indicated on the current PTSI Published Rate Sheet. 9) Overtime if needed for labor or travel:
Monday-Friday Excluding Holidays Saturday
Sunday/Holiday 8:30 am to 5:00 PM 5:00 PM to 8:30 am All hours
All hours SecurPASS Labor
Included
$136.78
$136.78
$273.56 Point of sale options:
Accepted Y/N__ Price 1 Windows 10 upgrade, Gen 5 and above
$9,000.00 1 Operator Training DVD, includes certification testing
$3,000.00 Annual payment discount for Master Service Agreement, deduct $1,000.00
*labor and travel are covered during normal working hours
In addition to the Service Agreement, we requested any maintenance calls or requests and the results. On 01/24/2020, a request for service was performed. Here are the pertinent results of that service.
The call was initiated because the system was throwing a “Shutter 1 Open” Error. After this error occurred, a “Calibration Error” occurred. The shutter was not opening 100% of the time when asked.
The Monoblock was removed. The Shutter was also removed and disassembled. Found the lower face of the actuator arm rubbing the frame and sticking once in a while. Moved the solenoid up a little (~1/64″), lubed the bottom of the arm and frame with a dab of grease and tested. (Ran Test lines in the Cycle Mode) The shutter ran normally after these adjustments were made.
According to the 3-page Service Call summary, the machine was working as expected after the above repairs were made. No other calls for service or reports of issues (through internal memos we also requested and received) have been made since that date.
The Finger Print card issue was discovered through an audit conducted by the Clerk of Courts. We have been in touch with the Clerk of Courts and the Scioto County Prosecutors office. We are still waiting on a definitive statement as to what triggered the Audit.
We will continue to follow this story until all of the questions are fully answered.
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keywords: 600 Missing Fingerprints Scioto County