Identification Services

Criminal Arrest
The CCBI Processing Unit is located in a limited-access area on the first floor of the Wake County Public Safety Center. Here, law enforcement officers from every jurisdiction in the county bring their arrestees to be fingerprinted, video-photographed and documented in our computer database. Law enforcement officers escort their arrestees, while our trained technicians conduct all of the necessary processing duties required by the state of North Carolina.

Use of Live-Scan fingerprint machine
The typical arrest includes fingerprints being taken on a live-scan fingerprint machine, a series of computer entries in our database, video-photography and an assortment of other paperwork necessary to complete the documentation. This process takes between 10 to 30 minutes.

Fingerprinting Procedures
CCBI uses an identification transmission system that sends the criminal fingerprint information via telephone lines directly to the North Carolina State Bureau of Identification (SBI). The SBI database is checked for possible previous arrest records. As a result of our inquiries, we can determine if the person is a wanted fugitive or if he/she has a state criminal record. The SBI then submits the fingerprint record to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) national file to determine if the subject has a prior record in other states.

Driving While Impaired Tests
CCBI also performs chemical breath testing for alleged drunk driving offenses in Wake County. These tests are also performed in the CCBI Processing Unit. The procedure involves advising the subject of his rights, an observation period, and the requirement that the driver blow into a device that measures alcohol content in the breath. Often the driver may request that a friend or family member witness the test. These witnesses should come to the telephone area of the lobby of the Public Safety Center. They will use the specially marked processing phone where they can talk to the supervisor on duty and gain admittance to the test area. There is an ATM machine in the lobby of the Magistrate's Office should cash be required for bail purposes.