Re Agreement

Smiths Group PLC
19 July 2005



News Release
London, 19/07/2005
For immediate release

Smiths Heimann Biometrics and Cross Match Technologies to join forces


Smiths Group plc announced today that it intends to combine Smiths Heimann
Biometrics GmbH ('SHB') with Florida-based biometrics business Cross Match
Technologies Inc. ('Cross Match'). SHB was acquired in 2002 as a part of the
larger Heimann Systems acquisition.  The value of SHB's net assets being
contributed is £7 million (€11 million), yielding Smiths an approximate 40%
shareholding in the enlarged Cross Match. SHB's unaudited sales for the 12
months to June 2005 were £13 million (€19 million). The transaction is expected
to be completed in early August 2005.


SHB and Cross Match supply complementary products and services that enable the
reading, storage and recognition of biometric data: capabilities which are
increasingly required by both law enforcement agencies and civil authorities.
The increased geographical spread of the combined business will ensure that its
complete product range is available in all the key markets around the world.


About Smiths Group & Smiths Detection
Smiths Group designs and manufactures safety-critical systems and products, and
has market leading positions in aerospace, detection systems, medical devices,
mechanical seals and interconnect products.  For further information visit
www.smiths-group.com


Smiths Detection offers technologically advanced security solutions to detect
and identify explosives, chemical & biological agents, weapons and contraband.
Employing trace detection technology together with Smiths Heimann x-ray imaging,
Smiths Detection provides screening solutions for customers in civil and
military markets worldwide

                                    - Ends -



Contacts:
Media:                                      Investors:
Chris Fox                                   Russell Plumley
[phone]                        [phone]
[e-mail]                  [e-mail]







Notes to Editors

About Smiths Heimann Biometrics


Smiths Heimann Biometrics GmbH was acquired by the Smiths Group as a small part
of the larger Heimann Systems GmbH acquisition in 2002. SHB entered the
biometrics business in 1996 and is based in Jena, Germany.  It designs and
manufactures optical scanners for biometric imaging, for example of finger and
palm prints, and its products are widely used by law enforcement agencies.  It
has approximately 90 employees, the majority in Jena with some salespeople in
Las Vegas, USA.



About Cross Match


Cross Match was established in 1996 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA. With
160 employees, its optical scanners for the digital capture of finger and palm
prints are widely used for identification by the military and by civil
authorities in the USA.


About the combined company



The combined company will be able to supply an enhanced range of products, for
example:


• SHB produced the first 10-fingerprint flat capture product for civilian
  background checks approved by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.


• SHB's combined palm printer and 10-fingerprint system is one of the
  most successful systems in the industry and is meeting customer needs with
  approximately 4500 installations.


• SHB's newly released 'Authenticator' reads ID cards and other
  documents, captures biometric data and hence confirms identity.


• The US Department of Defense and the FBI are using the Cross Match
  fingerprint and multimode biometric readers in the harshest areas of the 
  world.


• Cross Match recently released the first in a series of identity
  management solutions, the VisTrakTM, for visitor and inmate tracking.


• Cross Match's award winning ID 500TM fingerprint capture system was
  designed to meet the needs of both civil authorities and the emerging 
  commercial market. The system has been purchased by over 100 financial 
  institutions for employee background checks.


• Cross Match also provides fingerprint background check services through
  a national network of medical centres.






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange