Use of chipping technology and DNA identification in identifying a minor: a review

This study examines the possibility of using juvenile offender identification technologies such as chipping and DNA identification. Chipping requires finding a balance between security and respect for the child’s privacy. The use of newer genetic technologies is promising. The creation of a DNA database contributes to the improvement of law enforcement agencies, especially by increasing the possibility of criminal identification. However, the collection of genetic material from minors is challenging for several reasons, which requires ways to overcome them.

To study the problems and prospects of the use of information and communication technologies in the identification of juvenile offenders in Kazakhstan, a comparative legal analysis is used, which allows to identify the possibility of using chipping and genomic identification. Currently, the Kazakhstani society rejects the possibility of chipping people, much less children. Therefore, it is crucial to consider all aspects and carefully analyze possible consequences before deciding on this technology.

Presently, the activity of law enforcement agencies of the republic is unthinkable without the use of information technologies. To improve this process, new modern systems of personal identification and a database of biometric parameters should be developed. The main obstacle of chipping in minors in any of its variants (implanting a chip under the skin or sewing it into school uniforms) is legislative regulation and ethical barriers, whereas the unique biometric technology — DNA identification — has several advantages in establishing the identity of citizens, including minors. In this regard, there is a need for a unified legislative regulation of state biometric registration.

The comparative analysis of technologies showed that DNA identification is a more promising and regulated procedure at this stage. Thus, possible directions for the use of this method in the course of establishing the identity of a minor are described.