Muscat: The Inspector General of Police and Customs, issued Resolution 149/2024 issuing the executive regulations of the Biometrics Law based on the Royal Decree 21/2024.
A new decision refers to the establishment of a database for biometric fingerprints in the competent department, in which data obtained from the biometric trace raised from the crime scene or any other place, the biometric trace raised from unknown bodies and remains, the reference biometric sample taken from the accused and those convicted of a crime, the reference biometric sample taken from the relatives of the missing or those who go missing after they appear or are found, the reference biometric sample, fingerprints, palm prints, face prints, eye prints, and any other biometric prints are stored.
The decision also allowed the addition of any other related data to the biometric database after the approval of the Inspector General or his delegate.
The decision stressed that it is not permissible to modify any of the database data unless an error is proven in the recorded data and taking into account the following - obtaining written permission from the director, the modification shall be made under the approved electronic systems, preparing a detailed with a reason and submitting it to the competent director to approve the modification.
The decision stated that the collection, analysis, and preservation of biological traces and reference biological samples are done using scientific means such as oral swabs (saliva) or through a blood sample, and any other means specified by a decision issued by the Inspector General.
The decision allowed any person to voluntarily submit to the competent department to conduct a genetic fingerprint examination of the reference biological sample taken from him and include it in the database for use, as a genetic fingerprint examination may be conducted in the following cases:
1 - Suspicion of births in health institutions.
2 - Suspicion of test-tube babies.
3 - Lost or mixed-up children due to accidents or disasters, and it is difficult to identify them.
4 - Cases of rape of minors and incompetent persons.
5 - The presence of unidentified bodies.
The decision prohibited conducting a genetic fingerprint examination to prove or deny lineage. It also confirmed that it is not permissible to conduct a genetic fingerprint examination of reference biological samples except to determine the genetic characteristics of non-coding genetic sites in the chromosomal DNA, and the genetic region responsible for determining sex.
It is also not permissible to conduct a genetic analysis of reference biological samples except in the implementation of a judicial order or ruling, or if the samples are of unknown origin or taken from biological traces found at the crime scene or incident.
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