Specific rules for entering photographs, facial images and dactyloscopic data
1. Only photographs, facial images and dactyloscopic data referred to in points (w) and (x) of Article 20(2) which fulfil minimum data quality standards and technical specifications shall be entered into SIS. Before such data are entered, a quality check shall be performed in order to ascertain whether the minimum data quality standards and technical specifications have been met.
2. Dactyloscopic data entered in SIS may consist of one to ten flat fingerprints and one to ten rolled fingerprints. It may also include up to two palm prints.
3. Minimum data quality standards and technical specifications shall be established in accordance with paragraph 4 of this Article for the storage of the biometric data referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. Those minimum data quality standards and technical specifications shall set the level of quality required for using the data to verify the identity of a person in accordance with Article 33(1) and for using the data to identify a person in accordance with Article 33(2) to (4).
4. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts to lay down the minimum data quality standards and technical specifications referred to in paragraphs 1 and 3 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 62(2).
Specific rules for verification or search with photographs, facial images and dactyloscopic data
1. Where photographs, facial images and dactyloscopic data are available in an alert in SIS, such photographs, facial images and dactyloscopic data shall be used to confirm the identity of a person who has been located as a result of an alphanumeric search made in SIS.
2. Dactyloscopic data may be searched in all cases to identify a person. However, dactyloscopic data shall be searched to identify a person where the identity of the person cannot be ascertained by other means. For that purpose, the Central SIS shall contain an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
3. Dactyloscopic data in SIS in relation to alerts entered in accordance with Articles 24 and 25 may also be searched using complete or incomplete sets of fingerprints or palm prints discovered at the scenes of serious crimes or terrorist offences under investigation, where it can be established to a high degree of probability that those sets of prints belong to a perpetrator of the offence and provided that the search is carried out simultaneously in the Member State's relevant national fingerprints databases.
4. As soon as it becomes technically possible, and while ensuring a high degree of reliability of identification, photographs and facial images may be used to identify a person in the context of regular border crossing points.
Before this functionality is implemented in SIS, the Commission shall present a report on the availability, readiness and reliability of the required technology. The European Parliament shall be consulted on the report.
After the start of the use of the functionality at regular border crossing points, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 61 to supplement this Regulation concerning the determination of other circumstances in which photographs and facial images may be used to identify persons.
