Polity & Governance | GS II
Police across several States have begun collecting DNA records under the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 (CrPI Act). More than one lakh DNA profiles have already been generated and stored in a central database maintained by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
What is India’s Criminal Identification Framework?
- India has developed an integrated identification ecosystem under the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022.
Legal Foundation:
- Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022
Institutional Architecture:
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
- CrPI System
- NAFIS (National Automated Fingerprint Identification System)
- Measurement Collection Units (MCUs)
What is DNA Profiling?
A forensic technique that identifies individuals using unique patterns in their DNA obtained from biological samples. Sources of DNA: Blood, Saliva, Hair roots, Skin cells, Semen and other biological materials
Significance:
- Establishes identity with high accuracy
- Links suspects to crime scenes
- Helps identify repeat offenders
- Assists in missing persons and disaster victim identification
How does the DNA Profiling system work?
- Step 1: Sample Collection
- Step 2: Forensic Processing
- Step 3: Central Database
- Step 4: Criminal Identification
What are the concerns over this method?
Structural concerns
- Data Protection and Security: Potential misuse, breaches, or unauthorized access.
- Retention Period
- Risk of Surveillance: Large-scale collection could enable excessive state monitoring.
- Accuracy and Forensic Capacity: Reliability depends on:
- Sample collection,
- Chain of custody,
- Forensic infrastructure.
Constitutional concerns
- Privacy and Informational Self-Determination
- Due Process: Collection and storage of personal data must be accompanied by procedural safeguards.
How can the identification systems be made more accountable?
Incremental measures
- Strengthen data security and access controls.
- Improve forensic laboratory capacity.
- Standardise sample collection procedures.
- Ensure periodic audits of databases.
Disruptive measures
- Establish independent oversight mechanisms.
- Introduce stronger privacy-protection frameworks for biometric databases.
- Develop clear deletion and review mechanisms for retained records.
- Create transparent accountability standards for use of genetic data.
Conclusion:
DNA profiling represents a major shift towards scientific and technology-driven policing in India. While it can improve crime detection, strengthen investigations, and enhance inter-state coordination, its success will depend on robust safeguards that balance law-enforcement objectives with citizens’ privacy, dignity, and constitutional freedoms.
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Give it a try
Discuss the significance of DNA profiling in criminal investigations. Examine the privacy and civil liberty concerns associated with the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)