TASMANIA Police are using the latest in digital image facial recognition technology to track down and identify criminals. Police minister Jim Cox said that the Tasmanian PhotoTrac system was operating statewide and gave police an extremely useful tool to better identify and record criminals. ``This is yet another example of police using cutting edge technology to ensure Tasmania remained the safest state in the nation,'' he said.``Through this system, which is currently operating in Hobart, Bellerive, Glenorchy Bridgewater, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie police stations, digital images of offenders are obtained and stored in line with national standards when they are charged. ``These images can then be used for the compilation of photo-boards or electronic line-ups for witness identification, and electronic line-ups can also be generated in a matter of seconds for distinguishing features such as scars, tattoos or other marks.'' Mr Cox said one of the most exciting features of the $150,000 system was its ability to help track down offenders from security camera footage. ``The system has the ability to identify people of interest from surveillance images, whether they be in a still or video format, through a biometric facial recognition matching engine. ``This allows police to use camera footage relating to a criminal offence to search across the entire Tasmanian offender image collection for a potential match.''He said the technology was a powerful weapon for police in the fight against crime. ``It's ability to search a database of images makes surveillance cameras an even more effective tool in not only identifying offenders, but further sending the message that if you break the law, you are more than ever likely to get caught.'' Mr Cox said to ensure Tasmanian businesses and any other people who relied on surveillance cameras for security were best served by the new technology, Tasmania Police had published a guide outlining its requirements for closed-circuit television cameras. While the PhotoTrac system was capable of searching using only average quality surveillance images, better results are obtained from high quality images. ``I would urge all businesses to get a copy of the brochure and understand what requirements police recommend to ensure their premises have the very best protection.'' Mr Cox said the Tasmanian Photo Trac system was capable of linking to other national law enforcement agencies or police jurisdictions provided they introduced similar technology. ``I am extremely pleased that Tasmania Police continues to focus on identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency through the use of new and emerging technology to allow it to improve service delivery and maintain Tasmania as the safest state in the country,'' Mr Cox said. The CCTV brochure is also available at www.police.tas.gov.au.