Biometric identification
A hair, a fingernail, a bloodstain or a fingerprint: biometric identification of individuals plays a key role in fighting crime. Biometric characteristics such as fingerprints, palm or hand-edge prints and DNA profiles can be used to clearly identify perpetrators and thus bring them to justice.
fedpol’s Biometric Identification Unit processes this data using the automated fingerprint identification system AFIS and the DNA database CODIS. This enables federal and cantonal authorities, as well as international partner authorities, to identify individuals and establish links between different cases.
Various EU systems are used to facilitate international cooperation, a process which is to become even more efficient going forward thanks to the Prüm Convention.
In future, fedpol's AFIS will be updated to enable the comparison of facial images..
Last modification 04.03.2025
