EAST LANSING, Mich. -- A Michigan State University researcher has developed a new system that would help police use tattoos, scars and other marks in identifying suspects.

It's called the automatic image retrieval system, a software program, which includes an annotated database containing images of scars, marks and tattoos, provided by law enforcement agencies.

Each tattoo image in the database is linked to the criminal history records of all suspects and convicts who have a tattoo.

Anil Jain, MSU professor of computer science and engineering, said the new system will help identify people without having to use driver's license, demographic and personal data.

He said it might help with curbing identity fraud.

About 20 percent of adults has at least one tattoo, and this percentage is even higher among delinquents, Jain said.

In fact, many gangs have a unique membership tattoo. So, with the rising popularity of tattoos, it makes sense to use them.

It cannot identify a person, but it can help police narrow down the suspect list.

He said a body can decompose, but because tattoos are imbedded into the skin, they do not disappear as easily, even with a severe burn.