SAN DIEGO, CA, March 26, 2002 - ImageWare Systems, Inc. (AMEX:IW) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2001.

has been selected by Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Safety to provide technology automating the country's criminal booking system. In the initial phase of the $1 million project, ImageWare's Crime Capture System® will digitize all of Costa Rica's booking records in its National Criminal Archive, facilitating the exchange of criminal information with law enforcement agencies worldwide.

ImageWare's Crime Capture software creates digitized mugshots with accompanying text. It allows law enforcement to capture, search and share criminal records electronically, in a stand-alone, networked or Web-based environment. Crime Capture typically replaces the police having to review photo mugbooks manually, automating the process for criminal investigation and booking.

The Ministry of Public Safety of the Republic of Costa Rica awarded the contract through public international bid (number 71-2001) to IDNET S.A., a local company that will implement the ImageWare system. The initial phase also will include the installation of a central server and five stations for data input.

"The Ministry of Public Safety chose ImageWare's Crime Capture System for the National Criminal Archive. The initial phase is for the digitalization of all booking records in the country that will facilitate the exchange of information with other agencies around the world," said Oscar Jiomenez, director of MIS for Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Safety. "ImageWare's Crime Capture System proved to be the best solution available and is presented in Spanish, so we will not have to do much conversion."

"The core of our technology is equipping law enforcement and government agencies with the ability to share criminal information on a national and international level. Information-sharing and cross-checking have become critical to increase security in today's world," said Jim Miller, ImageWare chief executive officer. "We are very pleased to be working with the Ministry of Public Safety in Costa Rica to provide our Crime Capture System."

About ImageWare Systems, Inc.
ImageWare Systems, Inc. (AMEX:IW), is a leading developer and provider of identity management solutions, providing biometric, secure credential, law enforcement and digital imaging technologies. Scalable for worldwide deployment, the Company's biometric product line includes a multi-biometric engine that is hardware and algorithm independent, enabling the enrollment and management of unlimited population sizes. ImageWare's identification products are used to manage and issue secure credentials including national IDs, passports, driver licenses, smart cards and access control credentials. ImageWare's digital booking products provide law enforcement with integrated mug shot, fingerprint Livescan and investigative capabilities. The Company also provides comprehensive digital workflow solutions for the professional photography industry. ImageWare is headquartered in San Diego, with offices in Washington DC and Canada. For more information visit www.iwsinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these statements are meant to convey to the public the company's progress, business opportunities and growth prospects, readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements represent management's opinion. While management believes such representation to be true and accurate based on the information available to the company, actual results may differ materially from those described. The company's operations and business prospects are always subject to risks and uncertainties. Important facts that may cause actual results to differ are set forth in the company’s periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOLUTIONS | PRODUCTS | SUPPORT | PARTNERS | NEWS | INVESTORS | ABOUT IWS | CONTACT

Copyright © 2004-2012, ImageWare Systems. Inc. All rights reserved.

Legal Disclaimer   Privacy Disclosure