In the midst of November, a significant breakthrough occurred in law enforcement efforts as a fugitive migrant smuggler, long sought on charges of organized crime and human trafficking since 2021, was apprehended during a meticulous police check in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. What made this operation particularly noteworthy was the deployment of INTERPOL’s groundbreaking Biometric Hub—an innovative tool designed to scrutinize biometric data against INTERPOL’s expansive global fingerprint and facial recognition databases. The incident marked the inaugural use of the Biometric Hub in a remote setting, showcasing its efficacy in real-world scenarios.
The apprehended smuggler, employing a false identity and wielding a fraudulent identification document, attempted to blend in with a group of migrants making their way through the Balkans toward Western Europe. However, unbeknownst to him, the police check was part of a comprehensive INTERPOL operation spanning six countries in the Adriatic region. This operation was conducted under the aegis of INTERPOL’s Hotspot initiative, which leverages biometric data to identify and apprehend foreign terrorist fighters and criminals attempting to navigate irregular border points.
Cyril Gout, INTERPOL’s Director of Operational Support and Analysis, underscored the significance of biometrics in law enforcement, noting that while fugitives might alter their names and physical appearances, changing one’s biometric data remains a nearly insurmountable challenge. Biometrics, therefore, stands as the most reliable method of identification.
At the core of the Biometric Hub is a sophisticated ‘biometric core’ that seamlessly integrates INTERPOL’s existing fingerprint and facial recognition databases. This core is fortified by a matching system developed in collaboration with IDEMIA, a leading technology company. Beyond its immediate application at border points, the Biometric Hub is poised to become an indispensable tool for routine police operations within a country.
Over the next two years, INTERPOL plans to progressively roll out the Biometric Hub to border points and frontline officers across its extensive membership, encompassing 196 countries. The system boasts an impressive capability to conduct up to 1 million forensic searches per day, encompassing fingerprints, palm prints, and facial portraits.
Notably, the Biometric Hub represents a significant departure from previous procedures, which involved separate, multi-step processes with human handling or review. The new system streamlines the process, allowing law enforcement officers to submit data to both databases through a unified interface, ensuring swift results and real-time monitoring of requests. Human review from INTERPOL’s forensic experts becomes necessary only when the quality of captured biometric data falls below a designated threshold.
In addition to its operational efficiency, the Biometric Hub contributes to enhanced data governance, aligning with INTERPOL’s robust data protection framework. Unlike previous checks, biometric data run through the Hub in a search is not added to INTERPOL’s criminal databases. Moreover, it remains invisible to other users, and any data that does not result in a match is promptly and permanently deleted following the search.
Unveiled earlier in the year at INTERPOL’s Heads of National Central Bureaus conference in Singapore, the Biometric Hub was officially rolled out in October, making it accessible to all 196 member countries. This marks a significant stride in international law enforcement capabilities, showcasing the integration of cutting-edge technology to combat transnational crimes effectively.
