INTERPOL Issues Request for Mobile Biometric Devices

INTERPOL has issued a solicitation for mobile biometric devices. “Open Call for Tender no. 7279” suggests that the International Criminal Police Organization is open to working with one or more “provider(s)” of “mobile biometric collection devices and associated solutions.”

INTERPOL has increasingly turned to mobile biometric systems to enable law enforcement officers to capture and verify biometric data such as fingerprints, facial images, and iris scans in real-time, even in the field—significantly bolstering its ability to identify and apprehend criminals, terrorists, and missing persons globally.

The deployment of mobile biometric devices by INTERPOL began in earnest in the early 2000s as part of a broader strategy to modernize and digitize the organization’s tools and databases. Initially, the focus was on integrating fingerprint recognition technology into mobile platforms, allowing officers to quickly compare collected prints against INTERPOL’s vast fingerprint database. The success of these early initiatives led to the gradual incorporation of other biometric modalities, including facial recognition and iris scans.

A significant milestone in INTERPOL’s use of mobile biometric devices came with the launch of its Integrated Border Management Task Force (IBMTF). The IBMTF aimed to assist member countries in securing their borders by providing access to advanced biometric tools that have become critical in identifying individuals attempting to cross borders with fraudulent documents or false identities. INTERPOL’s mobile biometric devices are now widely used at international airports, seaports, and land border crossings, contributing to the enhanced security and integrity of border control processes.

INTERPOL’s General Assembly has consistently endorsed the expansion of biometric technology use. Regular training sessions and workshops are held for member countries to ensure that law enforcement personnel are adept at using these advanced tools. INTERPOL also collaborates with national law enforcement agencies to integrate their biometric systems with INTERPOL’s global databases, fostering a more seamless and coordinated approach to international policing.

Vendors interested in the organization’s “Open Call for Tender no. 7279 can learn more through INTERPOL’s e-tendering platform. The deadline for submissions is June 28, 2024.

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May 24, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy