Police in County Durham have said they are starting to reap the benefits of a mobile device which checks fingerprint records via a wireless link.
The Lantern hand-held terminals allow officers to scan someone's fingerprints without having to take them to a police station.
They are then sent to the national fingerprint database, with the findings coming through in minutes.
A spokesman said there had already been a number of impressive results.
These include identifying an unconscious man and finding someone wanted by another force.
Their use has also led to a number of arrests.
About 50 road policing and core officers from the south of the county have been trained in the use of the Lantern equipment.
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