The Criminal Identification Bureau is the central repository for criminal records in Ocean County and is a 365 day operation. All records must be preserved permanently by law unless expunged through the courts. Federal, State and local agencies are provided criminal arrest information that is maintained and updated by the Bureau. This includes fingerprints, criminal histories, photographs, motor vehicle information, and many other forms of identifications. The Division maintains a photo file used for photo line-ups and categorized mug book that can be used by law enforcement agencies.

In 1979, The Ocean County Sheriff's Department made history when it became the first in the state to employ a hi-speed information retrieval system. This system stores pictures, entire fingerprint cards, and single fingerprints, both FBI and State.

This Division is responsible for processing, fingerprinting and photographing any individual arrested or indicted by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, the Sheriff's Department, and individuals arrested by local police departments. Quality fingerprints are provided to the CIU unit for use in fingerprint and palm print comparisons.