BlogNews

Smytec announces partnership with Vigilate

Smytec integrates Vigilate’s leading ROC AFIS technology into its revolutionary BlindSite crime scene solution.

1st December 2024, London –  Smytec, a global leader in advanced forensic imaging technologies, today announced the integration of Vigilate’s cutting-edge Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) powered by ROC into its BlindSite product. This partnership transforms crime scene investigation by enabling on-the-spot and ‘on device’ matching of latent fingerprints with unparalleled speed, accuracy, and efficiency. BlindSite, already a game-changer in forensic technology, utilises hyperspectral and multispectral imaging to capture contactless evidence non-destructively from distances of up to 5 meters. The integration of the ROC AFIS now allows captured fingerprints to be instantly analysed at the scene, providing matching  results in under a minute. This reduces the identification process from hours to seconds, delivering crucial breakthroughs in situations where response time is critical.

The combination of Smytec’s cutting edge Blindsite technology and the ultra-fast and accurate ROC AFIS algorithms, transforms on-site fingerprint collection ‘From Analytics to Actionable Intelligence’. 

Revolutionsing Crime Scene Investigation

The BlindSite system accelerates crime scene investigations by up to sixty times, while preserving evidence integrity through its non-contact, non-destructive application. Traditional methods often rely on powders, chemicals, or manual handling, which pose risks of contamination and evidence degradation. By combining this innovative technology with Vigilate’s AFIS powered by ROC, the benefits extend beyond speed, significantly improving evidence quality, operational efficiency, response times, and environmental sustainability.

“Integrating ROC AFIS with BlindSite addresses long-standing challenges in forensic science,” said Dr. Alexander Smyth, CEO at Smytec. “From reducing evidential backlogs to saving lives in high-stakes situations, this partnership exemplifies how technology can empower the entire criminal justice system.”

Cost Savings and Sustainability

Adoption of BlindSite as the primary crime scene tool could lead to estimated savings of £100 million annually for policing budgets in England and Wales alone, by reducing reliance on traditional processing methods. Additionally, the system eliminates the need for toxic chemicals, powders, and single-use plastics, making it an environmentally responsible solution.

Why Vigilate’s solution?

Smytec selected Vigilate’s AFIS solution powered by ROC for its unparalleled speed, accuracy, and scalability. Recent NIST tests demonstrated that  the underlaying technology provides the fastest latent fingerprint matching capabilities in the market (15 seconds against over 1 hour). Moreover, the biometric platform offers opportunities for future integration of facial and iris recognition technologies, catering to broader applications in defence and security sectors.

Unique Features of BlindSite

BlindSite’s capabilities extend beyond fingerprint recognition:

  • Digital Non-Contact Scalebar: Eliminates contamination risks from physical rulers.
  • Integrated Scene Context Recording: Simultaneously captures a secondary still image with every evidence capture, preserving the spatial context.
  • Versatile Imaging Range: Operates from 15cm to over 5 metres, adapting to various crime scene needs.
  • Enhanced DNA Options: Preserved evidence can be swabbed for DNA analysis if AFIS does not yield results.

“BlindSite’s unique features deliver unmatched value to forensic teams,” added Dr. Alexander Smyth. “This integration not only transforms how evidence is captured and analysed but also redefines investigative workflows, delivering faster justice and enhanced public safety.”

About Vigilate
Vigilate uses the world leading ROC algorithms and is a global leader in the integration of biometrics and identify solutions. This fingerprint recognition powered by ROC offers the fastest and most accurate latent fingerprint matching technology available, validated by independent NIST testing.

Supporting innovation in U.S. law enforcement

Shelby Township Police Department joins a growing community of forward-thinking agencies exploring new ways to make forensic evidence recovery simpler, faster, and more reliable.

Early operational use of BlindSite by Lakewood Police Department has already demonstrated the technology’s versatility across different forensic applications. This has included visualising tattoos on a decomposed body to support victim identification and recovering a fingermark from a vehicle that produced a positive result against the state’s AFIS database, where traditional powder processing had not produced a match.

Dr Alexander Smyth, CEO of Smytec, said:

“What excites us most is the outstanding results these agencies are achieving in such a short time. Lakewood Police Department has already demonstrated BlindSite’s versatility across victim identification and fingermark recovery. These outcomes highlight the technology’s adaptability across a wide range of forensic applications and its ability to integrate into existing workflows.”.

Growing momentum across the United States

The latest deployment reflects increasing interest from U.S. agencies seeking forensic technology that can strengthen evidence recovery without introducing additional chemical processing or disrupting existing workflows.

As BlindSite’s U.S. presence continues to expand, Smytec remains focused on supporting law enforcement teams through practical training, close collaboration, and continued operational learning.

Smytec looks forward to working with Shelby Township Police Department and seeing how the team applies BlindSite across future investigations.

Media enquiries

info@smytec-ltd.com

Discover Smytec Technology First-Hand

Explore how Smytec’s solutions are being used worldwide, or speak to our team to learn more.