CCRTIS Report - Volume 1, Issue 3 - December 2009

Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services Newsletter

RTID moves forward with release 1.1

The Real Time Identification (RTID) Project is looking forward to its next release to clients.

RTID Release 1.1, scheduled for production early in the New Year, will include new system capabilities, such as auto certification functionality and support for identification (ID) flat submissions.

Auto certification allows the RTID system to automatically certify a ten print identification when the “hit” score is above the standard search threshold.

Support for ID flats will enable clients to electronically send non-criminal ten print submissions with flat fingerprint impressions only.

ID flat devices provide clients with an economical and efficient means of taking fingerprints electronically.The time required to capture ID flat impressions is considerably less when compared to capturing fingerprints with devices that require flat and rolled impressions.

In addition to new capabilities, Release 1.1 will enhance system functionality for electronic Criminal Ten Print Submission, Retain Yes (CAR-Y) and Refugee (REF) workflows.

The release will also correct issues found during Release 1.0.4.5 and 1.0.5 migration testing.

Release 1.0.5 was an infrastructure release, including RTID server and database upgrades. RTID migration testing consists of installation, verification, and validation of system functionality that is specific to a project release.

The RTID Project, along with other RCMP initiatives that rely on Information Technology (IT), is affected by the RCMP support of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

In order to maintain a stable IT environment during the Games, the RCMP has placed restrictions on technology releases to RCMP critical applications, systems and infrastructure.

Clients utilizing REF functionality are expected to migrate shortly after the implementation of Release 1.1.

Clients utilizing CAR-Y functionality will not migrate until after the Olympics.

With respect to RTID Phase 2, the RCMP has begun detailed design requirements. Phase 2 releases aim to further enhance the capabilities of the RTID system to manage criminal record information.

The Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services looks forward to providing more information about RTID Phase 2 in the next CCRTIS Report/Bulletin.

RTID speeds up fingerprint checks for INAC employees

It has been about two years since the words "Real Time Identification" made it into the regular vocabulary at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and they are about to experience the results of the new system.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, also known as INAC, was one of the first federal government departments to express an interest in the Real Time Identification (RTID) Project, said head of corporate security Josée Guilbault, who has watched as INAC's Information Technology (IT) networks have been modified over the years to support RTID.

RTID has transformed their former paper-based infrastructure into a seamless electronic system that allows INAC Security to do work in only hours and days that would previously take weeks and months.

"For sure it is going to help us with the ones that have negative results," said Guilbault, referring to the short time it will take to process employees who do not have a criminal record. "People won't have to wait as long to be hired."

The former paper-based workflow could involve upwards of three to six month processing times, Guilbault said. With the implementation of the RTID system, INAC will see a turnaround of days or weeks.

Certified for LiveScan and CardScan submissions, INAC has joined the several other government departments that submit federal employment transactions to the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).

INAC has more than 5,000 employees across Canada that require various screening levels. While not all employees are required to submit fingerprints at this time, Guilbault anticipates an immediate positive impact on their security screening services.

INAC is one of the federal government departments responsible for meeting the Government of Canada's obligations and commitments to First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and for fulfilling the federal government's constitutional responsibilities in the North. All personal information collected is strictly related to security check and clearance purposes for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada personnel, which includes temporary and contractual employees. Personal information is necessary to perform reliability checks, security clearances and criminal records verifications. This may be required to grant an employee access to a designated work area, and to provide an employee with the appropriate security clearance required for performing their work duties.

Guilbault recommends other government departments interested in RTID should have their IT personnel included from day one to ensure compatibility with the technology used by CCRTIS.

Environmental scan: Bill C-31

As part of its research initiatives, the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) constantly scans legislative and jurisprudential activities for areas that may impact the management of fingerprints and criminal record information.

In the Second Session, 40th Parliament, Bill C-31 had its First Reading on May 15, 2009. The bill proposes amendments to several acts, among which include the Identification of Criminals Act.

If given Royal Assent, the bill would authorize the fingerprinting of persons who are in lawful custody for specified offences prior to charges.

In other words, the amendment would allow for fingerprints to be obtained at point of arrest for reasons other than identification purposes.

If passed, the amendment would have a bearing on the management of criminal records and associated fingerprint data by CCRTIS. In particular, consideration would be given towards the management of fingerprints that were obtained at point of arrest, but did not result in a criminal charge.

André Deneault, CCRTIS Manager of Research and Policy Development, acknowledges that any legislative change that impacts the management of criminal records is of great interest to CCRTIS.

"CCRTIS supports any legislative change that provides greater clarity to the management of criminal records and associated fingerprint information."

CCRTIS will continue to monitor Bill C-31 and hold discussions with key stakeholders, including the Minister of Public Safety and Department of Justice Canada.

CCRTIS meets with Ontario's policing community

The management of criminal records involves a healthy exchange of ideas between Canada's national, provincial, and municipal police agencies.

In October 2009, the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) was fortunate to take part in the annual Law Enforcement and Records (Managers) Network (LEARN) conference. LEARN is an Ontario-based police community that shares information and develops guidelines on a variety of topics, including criminal records.

Comprised of Ontario's law enforcement partners, LEARN promotes records management and encourages consistent practices among police agencies. Hosted by the Peel Regional Police Service, the one-day event covered topics such as the release of criminal record information, the integrity of Canadian passports, legislative amendments, and court cases applicable to criminal records management.

Mark Scott, an analyst for CCRTIS Research and Policy Development, attended the conference and provided updates on the Real Time Identification (RTID) Project, off-site storage of Records Management System (RMS) data, and a series of questions and answers regarding civil and criminal fingerprint processing.

"LEARN provides a great forum for CCRTIS to share ideas with our provincial and municipal partners," said Scott, following the event in Brampton, Ont. "I really enjoy the face-to-face communication with the key players that are directly involved with managing criminal records. All of the participants benefit from this opportunity."

Established in 1991, LEARN is a network group operating with the support of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

RTID vendors showcased at conference

Real Time Identification (RTID) certified biometric vendors took part in a renowned technology conference in Ottawa this fall.

For the past 16 years, the Government Technology Exhibition and Conference (GTEC) event has provided a forum for public sector IT professionals to showcase their products and services.

Some of the leading innovators in biometric and identity management products and services have used the GTEC stage to share their advanced technologies with like-minded IT professionals. This list includes biometric vendors that have been certified in accordance with RTID standards.

Employees with the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) were pleased to know that RTID biometric solutions are being displayed at such a well-respected and highly anticipated event.

"It was exciting to hear that RTID certified vendors were represented at the event," said Mark Labonte, Officer in Charge of CCRTIS Biometric Business Solutions, who has a team that is responsible for the certification of RTID vendors.

"Increasingly public and private organizations are including electronic fingerprinting as part of their security screening processes. RTID certified vendors have the tools and technology to meet their needs."

The event attracted many distinguished guests including government CIOs, Deputy Ministers, leaders in industry and Canada’s new Chief Information Officer, Corinne Charette.

More than 7,000 participants, renowned speakers, and exhibitors from across Canada and around the world attend the annual event. The conference included demonstrations of the most advanced technologies that are driving public sector IT initiatives at all levels of government in Canada and on an international scale.

The 2009 GTEC event was held October 5-8 at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa. CCRTIS looks forward to hearing about RTID certified vendors represented at future GTEC events.

Here's how—fingerprint-based vulnerable sector checks

The following information is intended for Canadian law enforcement agencies that are authorized to submit fingerprint-based Vulnerable Sector (VS) verification checks. Pursuant to the Criminal Records Act, VS screening was established to provide screening of individuals who intend to work or volunteer with the vulnerable sector.

• All fingerprint-based VS checks require Form 1 – Consent for a Criminal Record Check.
• By completing Form 1, the applicant consents to have a criminal record check for a sexual offence for which a pardon has been granted or issued.
• Form 1 must reflect the requirements as specified in the Criminal Records Regulations, SOR/2000-303, enabled by the Criminal Records Act.
• Request should specify the complete job title for the compensated / non-compensated VS position.
• Request should specify the concerned party (VS person or organization) responsible for the vulnerable person(s).
• CCRTIS will not process incomplete/unclear consent forms. The request will be sent back to the contributor.
• A $25 CAN processing fee is required if the VS position qualifies as private employment. No fee is required if the VS position qualifies as volunteer work. Processing fee structure is available online at: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cr-cj/fee-frais-eng.htm.
• In the event of a fingerprint-based "hit" to a pardoned criminal record containing a sexualy based offence, CCRTIS must request the release of the pardoned record from the Minister of Public Safety.
• For approved releases, CCRTIS sends the pardoned record to the respective police agency, who in turn requests the applicant to consent in writing to the disclosure of their pardoned record to the concerned party.
• Applicant consent is obtained by Form 2 – Consent to Disclosure of Record, in which the applicant consents to disclosing the results of the criminal record check to the concerned party.

Policies concerning VS checks have been in place since 2000. Amendments to the Criminal Records Act were made to strike a fair balance between protecting persons in the vulnerable sector, and protecting the privacy of pardoned offenders. The provisions of the Criminal Records Act do not apply to people seeking VS positions outside of Canada. For more information on fingerprint-based VS checks, contact the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) at CCRTIS-SCICTR@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Contact us

RCMP National Police Services Building
1200 Vanier Parkway
Ottawa Ontario K1A 0R2
CCRTIS-SCICTR@rcmp-grc.gc.ca