Automated searching of DNA profiles
Article 6
1. For the investigation of criminal offences, Member States shall, at the time of initial connection to the router via their national contact points, conduct an automated search by comparing all the DNA profiles stored in their DNA databases with all the DNA profiles stored in all other Member States’ DNA databases and Europol data. Each Member State shall agree bilaterally with each other Member State and with Europol on the arrangements for those automated searches in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down in this Regulation. 2. For the investigation of criminal offences, Member States shall, via their national contact points, conduct automated searches by comparing all the new DNA profiles added to their DNA databases with all the DNA profiles stored in all other Member States’ DNA databases and Europol data. 3. Where searches as referred to in paragraph 2 could not take place, the Member State concerned may agree bilaterally with each other Member State and with Europol to conduct them at a later stage by comparing DNA profiles with all DNA profiles stored in all other Member States’ DNA databases and Europol data. The Member State concerned shall agree bilaterally with each other Member State and with Europol on the arrangements for those automated searches in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down in this Regulation. 4. Searches as referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall only be conducted in the framework of individual cases and in compliance with the national law of the requesting Member State. 5. Where an automated search shows that a supplied DNA profile matches DNA profiles stored in the requested Member State’s searched database or databases, the national contact point of the requesting Member State shall receive in an automated manner the DNA reference data with which a match has been found. 6. The national contact point of the requesting Member State may decide to confirm a match between two DNA profiles. Where it decides to confirm a match between two DNA profiles, it shall inform the requested Member State and shall ensure that at least one qualified member of staff conducts a manual review in order to confirm that match with DNA reference data received from the requested Member State. 7. Where relevant for the investigation of criminal offences, the national contact point of the requested Member State may decide to confirm a match between two DNA profiles. Where it decides to confirm a match between two DNA profiles, it shall inform the requesting Member State and shall ensure that at least one qualified member of staff conducts a manual review in order to confirm that match with DNA reference data received from the requesting Member State.