Rollout of ‘DNA and Face Matching’ Systems Delayed

October 25, 2023

More than a year after the passage of the Criminal Procedure Identification Act (CrPI) in Parliament, India is poised to introduce ‘DNA and Face Matching’ systems in 1,300 police stations nationwide. Despite the Act’s provisions, its complete implementation on the ground has faced logistical and connectivity challenges. This article explores the journey toward implementing this law and the hurdles encountered along the way.

Passage of the CrPI Act

In April 2022, the Indian Parliament passed the Criminal Procedure Identification Act (CrPI), granting police and Central investigating agencies the authority to collect, store, and analyze physical and biological samples, including retina and iris scans of arrested individuals. However, it took until September 2022 for the rules associated with the Act to be officially notified.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), tasked with overseeing the Act’s implementation, worked on finalizing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that police officials would follow when recording measurements. While the Act and rules did not explicitly mention DNA samples and face matching procedures, the NCRB informed State police officials that these measures would be introduced at approximately 1,300 locations across police districts, commissionerates, and Special Investigation Units.

Government Initiatives

To ensure the successful implementation of the CrPI Act, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) established a Domain Committee comprising representatives from State police, Central law enforcement agencies, and key stakeholders. Additionally, a technical sub-committee was formed to create SOPs for capturing DNA as a measurement. States were tasked with identifying suitable locations for the Measurement Collection Unit (MCU), with the NCRB serving as the national-level repository for the collected data.

Challenges Faced

One significant challenge in the implementation process is the lack of resources and training for police personnel. While the MHA covers hardware costs, States must bear the expenses related to secure Internet lines and operational costs. These financial constraints have posed difficulties for several police departments.

Integration with NAFIS

The National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), managed by the NCRB, has been integrated into the CrPI Act’s implementation. NAFIS includes fingerprint data for over 1 crore people, including accused and convicts, and is available at around 1,300 police stations across the country.

Replacing an Outdated Law

The CrPI Act replaces the century-old Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, which had limited scope, focusing primarily on capturing finger and foot-print impressions and photographs of convicted prisoners and specific categories of arrested individuals.

Data Security Measures

To prevent the misuse of databases, the NCRB has emphasized the importance of robust technological, legal, and forensic safeguards. Access to these databases is limited to designated officials in real time, ensuring data security and privacy.

Opposition Concerns

When the CrPI Act was introduced in Parliament in March 2022, it faced opposition from members who labeled it as “unconstitutional” and a threat to privacy. Despite these concerns, the government has moved forward with its implementation.

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