Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said that a database containing voice samples of criminals and terrorists needs to be created to combat the world—wide menace of cross—border terrorism.
“The most burning problem the world is facing today is terrorism. Many countries are suffering from the menace of cross-border terrorism,” Mr. Modi said while inaugurating a meet ’To promote use of DNA, DVI (disaster victim identification) and Fingerprints’ organised by the Interpol for the SAARC countries at the Gujarat Forensic Science University.
“As criminals become more sophisticated, it has become important for the law enforcement agencies to go for advanced technology for investigating complex crime. The old methods of investigation are useful in conventional crimes, but no longer applicable in sophisticated crimes,” Mr. Modi said.
“There are various technologies available for interception, recording and identification. It will be appropriate to create a database of voice sample of criminals and terrorists which could help in combating cross border terrorism,” he said, adding that Interpol could support in developing necessary software for this purpose.
Mr. Modi also asked various experts at the meet to come up with suggestions for framing a DNA Act for the country.
“In all developed countries, most of the investigation are carried out using DNA profiling and fingerprinting. But in India we are yet to come out with a DNA Act for the country,” Mr. Modi said.
“I request all of you to deliberate on this issue of DNA profiling and fingerprinting and come out with certain suggestions which would be useful in framing the DNA Act for the country,” he added.
The four—day meet is the first of its kind being organised in Asia.
“The meet is to develop cooperation and collaboration between different countries in order to fight crimes which have no borders now,” Olaf Worbes , special officer for DVI at Interpol said.
“We are also looking at enhancing databases of various Asian countries with regard to fingerprints and DNA profiling.
There is also a need for uniformity in recording these useful data,” Mr. Worbes said.
“We are also looking at sharing of these databases which would help in investigation of cross-border crimes and terrorism,” he added.
Experts from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka would be deliberating on various topics which include DNA profiling, fingerprinting techniques used by Interpol and DVI data collection, besides sharing experiences.
