UK police use handheld device to check fingerprint

doti writes: "BBC reports that "a hand-held device being tested by 10 forces in England and Wales is linked to a database of 6.5m prints. Police say they will save time because people will no longer have to go to the station to prove their identity. Officers promise prints will not be kept on file but concerns have been raised about civil liberties." "Officers will scan a vehicle's number plates using a special camera that checks if the car is subject to an offence, like being uninsured." "If a vehicle is stopped, police will be able to identify the driver and passengers. At present about 60% of drivers stopped do not give their true identity.""