{"id":109262,"date":"2026-06-22T11:18:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T05:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=109262"},"modified":"2026-06-22T11:18:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T05:48:41","slug":"collecting-dna-records-crpi-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/collecting-dna-records-crpi-act\/","title":{"rendered":"Police Begin Collecting DNA Records Under the CrPI Act"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>DNA Records Latest News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Police across several Indian states have begun collecting DNA records of suspects under the <\/span><b>Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with over one lakh DNA profiles generated and stored in a central database operated by the National Crime Records Bureau.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>About the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 (CrPI Act) is a significant piece of legislation passed by Parliament in 2022 to modernise India&#8217;s criminal investigation framework.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It replaced the colonial-era Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, which had limited provisions for collecting only fingerprints and footprints.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Background<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 1920 Act was considered outdated in the era of advanced forensic technology. The new law was enacted to:<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modernise identification techniques in line with global standards<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthen the criminal justice system through scientific evidence<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve conviction rates by enabling accurate identification<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Solve interstate crimes through a unified national database<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Key Provisions<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CrPI Act empowers police and prison officers to collect a wide range of identification data from:<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Convicted persons<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arrested persons for offences punishable with imprisonment of seven years or more<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persons detained under preventive detention laws<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Types of Measurements Collected<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act allows the collection of:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fingerprints and palm prints<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Footprints and photographs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Iris and retina scans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical and biological samples, including blood and saliva for DNA profiling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Behavioural attributes, including signatures and handwriting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Data Retention<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Records can be retained for up to 75 years from the date of collection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data is stored in a central database maintained by the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/national-crime-records-bureau\/\" target=\"_blank\">National Crime Records Bureau<\/a> <\/strong>(NCRB).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Records are deleted when a person is acquitted or discharged in all proceedings.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Authorised Agencies<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CrPI system is accessible to:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State police forces across the country<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Central agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prison authorities for record collection<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Concerns and Criticisms<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act has faced criticism on several grounds:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Privacy concerns regarding mass collection of biometric and biological data<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potential misuse by authorities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vague definitions of who can be subjected to collection<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of judicial oversight for collection from arrested persons<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long retention period of 75 years raises proportionality questions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court&#8217;s Puttaswamy judgment (2017) recognised privacy as a fundamental right, making it essential to balance security needs with individual rights.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>News Summary: Implementation of the CrPI Act<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the past five months, the DNA records of more than one lakh suspects have been stored in a central database operated by the <\/span><b>National Crime Records Bureau<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (NCRB) under the Union Home Ministry.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The contours of the CrPI system were showcased on June 19 at an NCRB event presided over by Home Minister Amit Shah.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Infrastructure for Implementation<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The implementation has involved significant infrastructure development:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than 2,600 measurement collection units have been established across the country<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CrPI system is now available in police districts and prisons<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is accessible to Central agencies, including CBI, NIA, and NCB<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integration with forensic laboratories for processing biological samples<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Sample Collection Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Samples are currently being collected by police in cases punishable by seven years or more.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNA samples are primarily drawn from blood, with saliva used in some cases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Samples are sent to a forensic laboratory, which generates a unique number.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NCRB preserves the code in its records.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sanctity of the samples depends on the police maintaining proper protocols.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To support the CrPI system, the NCRB had launched the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) in 2022:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fully automates the fingerprint matching process<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Currently holds more than 1.27 crore fingerprint records<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has played a significant role in solving old inter-state criminal cases<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides instant matching capabilities across the country<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Advanced Features of the CrPI System<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unified national database integrating face, iris, and biological samples.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Searchable database enabling accurate scientific identification within moments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Photo matching, a photo from a crime scene can be instantly matched with records across the country.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video analytics allowing investigating officers to upload CCTV footage to identify suspicious persons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standardised storage of measurements for 75 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disguise-resistant identification, photos are taken ensuring clarity of eyes to prevent identification being hindered by disguises.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Crime-Solving Capabilities<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The system enables several important crime-solving functions:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct matching of biological samples recovered from crime scenes with existing records.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identification of habitual offenders through scientific methods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inter-state criminal tracking with instant cross-state record matching.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quick identification from CCTV footage that earlier took hours of manual investigation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NCRB stated: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;What earlier took hours of manual investigation is now possible in just a few minutes.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Concerns and Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Privacy and Civil Liberties<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proportionality of data collection and retention<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safeguards against misuse of sensitive biological data<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Independent oversight of database access<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data security to prevent breaches<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Implementation Challenges<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standardising procedures across states<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training law enforcement on proper collection techniques<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining the sanctity of samples and the chain of custody<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integration with state databases<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Need for Safeguards<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Judicial oversight for sensitive data collection<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clear protocols for data deletion upon acquittal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regular audits of database access and use<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transparency in operational procedures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Periodic legislative review of the framework<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/police-begin-collecting-dna-records-under-2022-law-over-one-lakh-profiles-generated\/article71129563.ece#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TH<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Criminal Procedure Identification Act 2022 enables police to collect DNA records, with over one lakh profiles generated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":109294,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[8256,60,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-109262","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-dna-records","9":"tag-mains-articles","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs-tag","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109262"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":109274,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109262\/revisions\/109274"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}