This new DNA record system by police across several states in India is honestly big news,but also little uncomfortable to think about . Because once biological data enters central database,it is not small thing ah.
Police have now started collecting DNA records from suspects involved in serious crimes under Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act (CrPI),which was enacted in 2022 . And already,over one lakh DNA profiles have been created and stored in centralized database managed by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
Along with DNA,authorities are also collecting photographs,fingerprints and iris scans of arrested individuals . So basically,this is becoming one national identification system for people who come into serious criminal investigation.
According to an official from NCRB,collection of different biometric data started in March 2025 . But DNA profiling got delayed because state police forces did not have enough forensic expertise and storage capacity earlier.
Now with more than 2,600 measurement collection units across country,system is operational in police districts and prisons . It is also accessible to agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation and National Investigation Agency.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- Over 1.27 crore fingerprints recorded through National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS).
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita makes forensic analysis mandatory for serious offences.
- Biological samples can be retained for 75-year retention period.
And tbh,75-year retention period is the part many people will stop and think about . On one side,it can help police connect old cases,repeat offenders and crime scene evidence. But at same time,keeping biological samples for that long raises obvious questions about privacy,misuse and safeguards.
During recent presentation on CrPI system,Home Minister Amit Shah said accurate criminal identification is fundamental for effective law enforcement . CrPI Act,2022 gives legal recognition to identification-based evidence and allows law enforcement to collect physical and biological samples from arrested individuals.
NCRB has also pointed to feature where CCTV footage can be uploaded for facial recognition against national databases . That means investigation work which earlier took hours can now happen in minutes,at least on paper.
Each person enrolled gets unique identification number,so records can stay linked even if personal details change . Police say this can help connect crime scene evidence with identification records through scientific verification and support prosecutions .
But still,the bigger question stays hanging here… how India balances faster crime investigation with rights of people whose most personal data is now sitting inside government system…
