is extremely effective for criminal investigations. This system, along with an increase in security cameras in various facilities, is being used by some Prefectural Police forces as a system that can obtain convincing evidence to prove crimes.

Diagram 1-30 Facial Image Identification by 3D Physiognomic Range Finder

## (4) Automated Vehicle License Plate Reading System

The implementation of road inspections is an effective way of cracking down on automobile theft and crimes utilizing vehicles. However, there are problems with this method, such as the time required between the recognition of an incident and initialization of inspection, as well as the risk of creating traffic congestion when rigorous inspections are conducted. For these reasons, since 1986, the NPA has been upgrading the automatic vehicle license plate reading system, which automatically reads the license plate numbers of moving vehicles and checks it against the data of vehicles being sought.

## (5) Profiling

Profiling uses statistical data and psychological methods amongst other means to determine whether a crime is part of a series, as well as information such as the criminal’s age group, lifestyle, occupation, history, the place of residence, and to predict subsequent crimes through analysis and evaluation of crime scenes, modus operandi, and information and documents related to the victims and other persons concerned.

Traditionally in investigations, the crime scene situation, articles left behind by the perpetrators, and information obtained through door-to-door investigations and other means are linked together as well as relying on the intuitions of the investigators honed from their experience in order to come up with suspects and identify the perpetrator. However, in recent years, the police combine the intuitions of the investigators along with the profiling results compiled from a scientific perspective in order to conduct investigations more effectively and rationally to identify suspects.

Additionally, the police are working to improve, specialize $ ^{1} $ , and universalize $ ^{2} $ profiling techniques.

Note 1: Training full-time staff and maintaining the structure.

2: Thoroughly instructing investigators and promoting effective use.

Diagram 1-31 Trends in the Number of Profiling Cases Implemented (2004-2008)

Note: Excluding those implemented by National Research Institute of Police Science upon request from Prefectural Police

## (6) Structure of Criminal Investigation Support – Crime Analysis Tool and System (CIS – CATS)

When an investigation examined in terms of “investigations starting with people,” or “investigations starting with things,” becomes difficult, it is important to work out a methodology to support the decision regarding the direction of the investigation and priority of the investigation parameters, in order to ensure the quick arrest of the criminal(s), by advancing a comprehensive analysis of crime-related information. It is also important to further strengthen the structure and execution of crime scene investigations.

To this end, the NPA has consolidated various activities traditionally conducted using multiple systems into one. The information analysis support system (CIS-CATS) which started operation from January 2009, allows various activities to be conducted from one terminal, eliminates duplicate entries of information by linking various activities and conducts cross-sectional searches, as well as display crime related information such as modus operandi and criminal statistics on a map to combine with other information to comprehensively analyze the scene of the crime, time table, characteristics of the suspects, and such.