Records and Identification
The Records & Identification Bureau of the Sheriff's Office was established in September 1981. The bureau is responsible for the comprehensive collection and dissemination of criminal history records within the jurisdiction of Shelby County, Tennessee.
There are over 565,000 criminal records on file. This information is collected during the processing of subjects under arrest. A brief personal history, mugshot and fingerprints are taken at the time of booking. The fingerprint data is processed either thorough the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or manually by one of the many Fingerprint Technicians assigned to the unit.
Records & ID Office Hours:
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday - FridayMisdemeanor CitationProcessing Hours:
7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Operating Hours: open 24/7
Phone: (901) 545-5656Mailing Address
Records & Identification
201 Poplar Ave
Rm 1006 Jail Annex
Memphis, TN 38103
Once the identification is made either a new criminal history record is created or a prior criminal history is updated to reflect the new arrest. As the criminal record leaves the Fingerprint unit, Clerical Specialists assigned to the Records Section further process it. Once updated in the criminal history computer, the record is then placed in file for future reference or archived through filming by the Microfilm Unit.
AFIS Specialists are responsible for the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. This new technology has increased efficiency and reduced the time needed to identify subjects under arrest. The specialists are responsible for entering crime scene prints into the AFIS database to search against a large print database.
The AFIS specialists also corroborate with the City of Memphis Police Department in providing latent print (crime scene) comparisons to the Sheriff's Detective Bureau and other surrounding counties.
The Technical Unit is charged with the processing of Misdemeanor Citations (in lieu of arrests).
The Records and Identification personnel maybe summoned to testify in court regarding criminal history information. Upon request, criminal history information is available to Law Enforcement Agencies and the general public. When state and federal laws require an organization to conduct a background check prior to employment, acceptance into the Military, purchase a handgun and etc., the records unit will provide this for a service fee.
Visit the R&I Special Service Requests Page for more info regarding Special Services Requests.
To learn more about Open Records, see the Open Records FAQ Page.
For a current list of fees download our SERVICE FEES Acrobat PDF document.
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