On May 15, Ukraine’s National Police introduced a new mechanism for identifying missing persons using ID documents. This system utilizes graphic images of fingerprints stored on the electronic chips of Ukrainian biometric documents.
The police have been equipped with specialized software and hardware complexes to read information from these electronic chips. This equipment has been distributed among the main departments of the National Police across all regions of the country.
According to the police, fingerprint images can be obtained from both Ukrainian ID cards and biometric passports. Older passport booklets and documents issued prior to the introduction of biometric technology do not contain electronic chips and cannot be used for this purpose.
“The implementation of these new technical capabilities allows for the creation of a database of live fingerprint data for individuals missing under special circumstances. The collected data will be entered into the relevant records of the National Police of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and will be automatically checked against fingerprints collected during investigations of unidentified bodies. This significantly enhances the effectiveness and speed of person identification,” stated the National Police.
With the introduction of this new mechanism, investigators may approach relatives of missing persons to request ID documents of the missing individual in order to obtain fingerprint images. Relatives can also submit a request to the investigator handling the criminal case.
“After the examination and reading of the necessary information, the ID document will be returned to the family immediately,” the agency added.
Ukraine's National Police has launched a new identification system for missing persons, utilizing biometric data from ID documents. This initiative aims to improve the efficiency and speed of identifying individuals who have gone missing under special circumstances.