Across the United States, arrests can happen at any time and, in certain states, those arrests are a matter of public records. With this access, an average citizen can become aware of what’s going on in neighborhoods, or their family member’s hometowns. This ability to monitor bookings, including mugshots, is giving some people the peace of mind they need to know what’s going on in their area. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can access this information or those photos through arrest data.
What’s the purpose of a mugshot?
A mugshot serves as a clear photo identifier for a suspect. In most cases, just busted mugshots are a standard part of the booking process. The picture is taken at three angles: Front photographic view, left side of the suspect, and right side of the suspect. You can get more information about current inmates and arrest history through websites that allow you to examine these public documents. These online tools can help you review inmate rosters and see public access information about criminal activity that you may not be able to get from just punching into Google.
A busted mugshot search will direct you to the right local authorities for more information regarding a criminal record or a recent booking. This will offer up the services of a massive mugshot database to leave crime trip details on a tip hotline. Uncovering arrest records can give you a better understanding of an actual crime committed, as well as a way of tracking down information with as little information as a first name and the last name.
How do police process mugshots?
A mugshot from a sheriff’s office provides information about what suspects are being booked on in as close to real-time as possible depending on the jurisdiction. These photos are more accessible than ever with means of online capability. This picture of the arrestee contains a booking number that is then tracked throughout a criminal case, and used for quick search by police departments to find the relevant case and suspect.
When people get arrested, they must go through a standard booking process during which the police collect personal information about arrestees and document the details of the crime. Those details are handed over to a district attorney’s office to prepare for the defendant’s trial in a court of law. It’s important to remember that a mugshot is not an indication of guilt. During the booking process, the police take mugshots as a member of record in the arrest process. This is an important step of booking and it’s also helpful in a court of law when establishing a possible sentence for the actual crime.
What are mugshots used for?
Despite recent efforts to keep them confidential, mugshots have several purposes during and after booking. First, mugshots are needed so officials are able to positively identify prisoners. These are also used in legal proceedings for victims to better identify defendants. A mugshot may be distributed to the general public by a local sheriff’s office in the event that a detainee has escaped or a person of interest with priors is at large.
Mugshots have become available through online arrest records to allow for easier access and sharability amongst county jails and other corrections systems. Police departments have also taken to live streaming for inmates and convicts, allowing for an arrest to become the top story for the nightly news. It’s all a matter of protecting the general public and keeping your local area safe from a surge in its violent crime rate. Be sure to use this information responsibly.
