Aadhaar data for unidentified bodies only as last resort: Karnataka Police
The Karnataka Police have issued new guidelines requiring officers to exhaust all traditional forensic methods before requesting Aadhaar-based biometric data to identify unclaimed bodies. The policy ensures that sensitive biometric data is only accessed as a last resort in a case-specific manner.
Why it matters
This policy balances the need for efficient criminal investigation with the protection of individual privacy and data security.
In a move to streamline investigations into unclaimed and unidentified dead bodies, the Karnataka Police have directed investigating officers to exhaust all conventional and forensic methods before seeking Aadhaar-based biometric data to establish identity.
The direction was issued by P. Harishekaran, Additional Director General of Police (Crime and Technical Services), Karnataka Police, on behalf of the State police chief, as part of guidelines for investigating unidentified dead body cases.
Investigators must first check missing-person records and alert the District Missing Persons Unit/Missing Persons Squad to ascertain whether anyone matching the description has been reported missing.
They have also been directed to send wireless messages nation-wide and circulate ‘hue and cry’ notices with photographs through the Cri-MAC portal under CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems).
The police have been asked to use facial recognition and fingerprint databases, besides DNA matching and examination of personal belongings and distinguishing marks.
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