Crime-buster Eliot Ness may have succeeded by using fingerprints to track down the criminal in the 1930s and '40s. But today, investigators are using far more sophisticated tools to ferret out crime.

These days, the FBI and DoD have turned to advanced security systems that include DNA, iris scans, palm prints, voice recognition and facial imaging. Both agencies are embarking on biometrics-system makeovers that eventually may include mass-scale DNA biometrics storage for investigative purposes.

The FBI is planning to replace its current Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) with the Next-Generation Identification (NGI) program. It's a totally revamped biometrics system.

DoD is embarking on a similar biometrics project with its Next Generation Automated Biometrics Identification System. It will include an upgraded database.

For more on these new investigative tools:
- check out this Network World article

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