Scotland’s first Biometrics in Criminal Justice conference took place in Edinburgh today, Wednesday 19 June.
Hosted by the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority, experts discussed the use of biometric data and new technologies, underpinned by ethics and human rights.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell, who spoke at the conference and joined a panel discussion, said: “Policing has a positive duty to use biometric data and new technology to safeguard the vulnerable and bring offenders to justice.
“Today’s event is about building on the strong relationships and continuing a public conversation which explores the opportunities and challenges future technologies hold for policing and to ensure we maintain and develop the strong ethical basis for our use of biometric data.”
Dr Brian Plastow, Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, said: “The purpose of today was to start a national conversation around the use of biometrics and show the important part it plays in policing and criminal justice, and not just from the point of view of identifying guilty people, but also for eliminating innocent people from police enquiries.
“Biometric data plays an important part in keeping people safe, but also engages us in an important conversation about adopting new technology and human rights.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
