After more than a year since the passage of the Criminal Procedure Identification Act (CrPI) in Parliament, the Indian government is preparing to launch ‘DNA and Face Matching’ systems in approximately 1,300 police stations nationwide. While the Act’s provisions have not been fully implemented, logistical and connectivity challenges have impeded its rollout. This article explores the developments and challenges surrounding this initiative.
The CrPI Act: Enabling Data Collection
The Criminal Procedure Identification Act, passed by the Indian Parliament in April 2022, empowers law enforcement agencies to collect, store, and analyze physical and biological samples, including retina and iris scans, from individuals in custody.
Delays in Implementation
Though the Act and its associated rules do not explicitly mention the collection of DNA samples and face matching procedures, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) informed state police officials in subsequent meetings that these measures would be implemented in around 1,300 locations across various law enforcement entities.
Government Initiatives
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) established a Domain Committee to oversee the effective implementation of the Act, with representation from state police, central law enforcement agencies, and other key stakeholders. Additionally, a technical sub-committee was formed to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for capturing DNA measurements.
Site Identification and Database Management
States have been instructed to identify suitable locations for the Measurement Collection Unit (MCU) and establish these units as recommended by the NCRB. The NCRB, a central body under the MHA, will manage the national-level database.
Current Data Collection
Some police departments, such as Delhi Police, are already recording measurements like thumb and finger impressions, as well as photographs of accused individuals using existing methods and the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS). NAFIS, maintained by the NCRB, is integrated with the Criminal Procedure Identification Act and houses fingerprint details of over one crore people across the country.
Reforming an Outdated Law
The Criminal Procedure Identification Act replaces the century-old Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, which had limited scope, focusing on finger impressions, foot-print impressions, and photographs of convicted prisoners and specific categories of arrested individuals under a magistrate’s orders.
Mitigating Misuse
The NCRB emphasizes the importance of preventing the misuse of databases, urging the deployment of appropriate safeguards. It stipulates that only designated officials should have real-time access to these databases.
Resource and Training Challenges
Some state police officials have identified challenges related to funding, training, and resources. While the MHA supports the cost of hardware, expenses associated with secure internet connections and operational costs will be the responsibility of the states.
Ensuring Technological and Legal Compliance
The NCRB stresses that tools and systems used by law enforcement agencies must meet technological, legal, and forensic standards and be accredited.
Opposition and Privacy Concerns
When the CrPI Act was introduced in Parliament, it faced opposition from members who viewed it as unconstitutional and an intrusion on privacy.
