The FBI has disclosed on Monday that its Next Generation Identification (NGI) System is set to become fully operational.

The new system, which has reportedly been in development for more than 6 years and cost about $1 billion, is expected to drastically improve the ability of law enforcement officers to identify and monitor criminals using biometric technology.

Reports indicate that the technology has enhanced the overall efficiency of law enforcement officers since it was commissioned in February 2011.

Last month, while testing the new technology in Asia, security officers were led to apprehend a criminal who had successfully evaded the grips of the law for more than a decade. Neil Stammer, who is wanted in the US for kidnapping and child abuse, had relocated to Nepal and changed his name to Kevin Hodges. Nevertheless, once his image was scanned, the system quickly matched his face to his criminal record.

Experts say the advanced biometric identification system also makes use of body scarifications and iris recognition to improve its accuracy. 

The FBI has already launched two new services associated with the NGI - Interstate Photo System and Rap Back. These two new services are designed to give officers the ability to search law enforcement databases nationwide for the records of criminals with just their photos and opt to receive updates on the status of people with criminal records in positions of 'trust.' 

According to the FBI, the "NGI System was developed to expand the Bureau's biometric identification capabilities, ultimately replacing the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) in addition to adding new services and capabilities."

Since plans were unveiled about its development, the new technology has come under severe criticisms for breaching traditional privacy barriers. Meanwhile, the FBI has revealed that these new services represent only the first phase of the NGI.