Forensics

Forensic expertise and data is vital to international investigations.

Fingerprints are unique

Did you know that fingerprints never change, even as we get older? This makes them useful as evidence in a crime.

Forensic data, such as fingerprints and DNA, is generally unique to an individual, and so can confirm a person’s identity and presence at a crime scene. Importantly, it can also help prove a suspect’s innocence.

At the international level, forensic data can also be used to link a series of transnational crimes, and fingerprints can be quickly checked if a suspect is crossing a border. This data can also be used to help identify victims of major disasters.

Facial recognition is a rapidly evolving biometric science which opens up many new opportunities for identifying individuals and solving crimes.

At INTERPOL, we maintain criminal databases of fingerprints, DNA profiles and facial images, provided by our member countries. This allows police across the world to make connections between criminals and crime scenes. We also train frontline officers to assess, preserve and share evidence in line with best practices.

Activities

ExpertiseDisaster Victim Identification (DVI)

Disaster Victim Identification, or DVI, is the method used to identify victims of mass casualty incidents, either man-made or natural.

ExpertiseBiometric Hub

Enabling police to check facial images and fingerprints against INTERPOL’s databases

ExpertiseDNA

DNA can play a crucial role in convicting – or clearing – suspects of a crime, and can also be used to identify missing persons.

ExpertiseI-Familia

Identifying missing persons globally through family DNA matching.

ExpertiseFacial Recognition

Since its creation, the IFRS System has helped to identify several thousand individuals including terrorists, criminals, fugitives, persons of interest and missing persons.