The success of international police investigations is dependent upon the availability of up-to-date, global data.
At INTERPOL, we provide our member countries with instant, direct access to a number of criminal databases. These contain millions of records, contributed by countries across the world.
Maximizing the reach
We have developed web server solutions to extend access beyond our NCBs to frontline law enforcement officers, such as border guards, allowing them to search the databases on wanted persons, stolen and lost travel documents and stolen motor vehicles.
Notices and nominal data
INTERPOL’s system of Notices is used to issue international alerts for fugitives, suspected criminals, persons linked to or of interest in an ongoing criminal investigation, persons and entities subject to UN Security Council Sanctions, potential threats, missing persons and dead bodies. Details are stored in a database known as the INTERPOL Criminal Information System, which also contains personal data and the criminal history of people subject to request for international police cooperation.
Child abusers and victims
The International Child Sexual Exploitation image database uses sophisticated image comparison software to make connections between victims, abusers and places. The aim is to identify, locate and arrest perpetrators, and to remove victims from harm.
Fingerprints and DNA profiling can play a crucial role in solving crimes as they have the potential to reveal links between individuals and/or crime scenes. Just as importantly, they can help to prove a suspect’s innocence.
Authorized users in member countries can view, submit and cross-check records in the fingerprints database via a user-friendly automatic fingerprint identification system (AFIS).
This database contains DNA profiles from offenders, crime scenes, missing persons and unidentified bodies. INTERPOL does not store any nominal data linking a DNA profile to any individual.
Border points are critical locations for preserving national security. INTERPOL provides a range of databases to help detect and prevent the fraudulent use of travel papers and administrative documents, thereby restricting the movement of criminals or illicit items.
Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD)
The SLTD database contains records on lost, stolen and revoked travel documents – such as passports, identity cards, UN laissez-passer or visa stamps, including stolen blank travel documents.
Stolen Administrative Documents (SAD)
The SAD database records stolen official documents that serve to identify objects, for example, vehicle registration documents and clearance certificates for import/export.
The Digital INTERPOL Alert Library – Document (Dial-Doc) is a joint G8-INTERPOL initiative, which allows countries to share at global level alerts produced nationally on newly detected forms of document counterfeiting.
Comparison of genuine and fake documents
Edison (Electronic Documentation and Information System on Investigation Networks) provides examples of genuine travel documents, in order to help identify fakes. It contains images, descriptions and security features of genuine travel and identity documents issued by countries and international organizations.
Stolen motor vehicles, vessels and works of art are likely to be trafficked across borders. We maintain global databases in order to assist the law enforcement community in identifying stolen items and to increase the chance of their recovery.
This database contains extensive identification details from all types of motor vehicles (cars, trucks, trailers, heavy machinery, motorbikes) and identifiable spare parts reported as stolen.
The Stolen Vessels database serves as a centralized tool for tracing and tracking stolen vessels and engines.
Works of art
The Works of Art database contains descriptions and pictures of cultural objects reported as stolen by INTERPOL member countries and international partners such as the International Council of Museums and UNESCO. It includes items looted during crisis periods in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
We offer powerful tools which can help member countries to collect data, trace items and analyse trends related to firearms and radiological and nuclear materials.
Identification of firearms
The INTERPOL Firearms Reference Table provides a standardized methodology to identify and describe firearms, and enables an investigator to obtain or verify the details of a firearm.
Comparison of ballistics data
The INTERPOL Ballistic Information Network provides a global platform for the centralized collection, storage and cross-comparison of ballistics imaging.
Exchange of firearms data
The INTERPOL Illicit Arms Records and tracing Management System (iARMS) facilitates information exchange and cooperation between law enforcement agencies on firearm-related crime, and allows them to trace a firearm from the point of manufacture or of legal importation into a country, through the lines of supply to the last known point of possession.
Radiological and nuclear materials
The Project Geiger database is used to collate and analyse information on illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities involving radiological and nuclear materials. It combines data from the International Atomic Energy Agency, open-source reports and law enforcement channels.
The purpose of these databases is to improve the collection and exchange of intelligence, support investigations, and better analyse the crime networks, leading to the identification and arrest of their leaders and financiers.
The maritime piracy database stores intelligence related to cases of piracy and armed robbery at sea, including data on individuals, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, piracy incidents, locations, businesses and financial information.
The word ‘Maras’ refers to criminal gangs operating in Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua). This database includes information about these gangs and their members, including personal data, images, weapons, vehicles, mobile phones, and criminal events.