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Trent Smith gets his fingerprints electronically entered with the help of Mason Doug Ross.

The Catawba Masonic Lodge in Fincastle is targeting a child ID program that is part of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Virginia A.F. & A.M. initiative. Armed with computer equipment and printers borrowed from the Pleasants Lodge in Roanoke,  the  Fincastle  members and a few wives embarked on getting finger prints, photos, voice data and dispensing a cheek swab kit for DNA to parents of Pack333 Cub Scouts and their siblings. The event took place  on Monday night June 1 at the Family Life Center of Fincastle United Methodist Church.

Dick Vinal a member of the lodge and from Fincastle explained the process of electronic finger printing, using a picture camera and also detailed the use of the software for the program. The procedure included front and side view photos and recorded voice data. The volunteers also learned how to incorporate family information for the program which was printed out and given to the parents. All forms were signed by the child's parent giving permission for the child to be Id'd.

Over 15 children were ID'd that evening. Parents can sleep a bit easier in case the information is ever needed as they came home with a nice packet of detailed information that can be used in an emergency.