Modern biometrics used in forensic science and by police
HORIZON Innovation Actions
Basic Information
- Identifier
- HORIZON-CL3-2021-FCT-01-05
- Programme
- Fighting Crime and Terrorism 2021
- Programme Period
- 2021 - 2027
- Status
- Closed (31094503)
- Opening Date
- June 30, 2021
- Deadline
- November 23, 2021
- Deadline Model
- single-stage
- Budget
- €5,000,000
- Keywords
- Manage judicial police operationsForensic technologies, othersJudicial trainingElectronic evidenceArtificial IntelligenceBiometric methods, technologies and toolsOrganised crimeConventional forensicsEducation and training of police authoritiesForensic scienceDigital AgendaPolice authoritiesTerrorismBiometric equipmentdata protectionconvictionsborder checksbiometric evidencedata standardisationprosecutionsforensic trainingforensicsforensic evidenceborder managementpolice trainingbiometric dataENFSI
Description
Projects’ results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following outcomes:
- Use of modern, robust, validated, easy-to-use and reliable biometric technologies by forensic institutes and security practitioners, notably Police Authorities, improving European investigation capabilities to fight terrorism and other forms of serious and organised crime;
- Shorter court cases due to the availability of more solid (cross-border) forensic evidence that is acceptable in court;
- Policy-makers and security practitioners benefit from European common approaches for analysing risks/threats, and identifying and deploying relevant security measures while exploiting biometric information, which take into account legal and ethical rules of operation, the procedural differences in the creation of biometric information (considering the gender dimension where relevant), cost-benefit considerations, as well as fundamental rights such as privacy, protection of personal data and free movement of persons;
- Improved support to policy-making on the use of biometric technologies by forensics institutes and Police Authorities;
- Improved understanding of the capacity and usefulness of biometric technologies information in tackling terrorism and other forms of serious and organised crime, and of the key challenges related to it, such as harmonisation/standardisation of data and processes;
- Contribution to the development of European standards for the handling and processing of biometrics in the context of judicial investigation;
- Forensic practitioners active in biometrics are provided with modern education and training curricula.
Biometric technologies allow for a person to be recognised to a certain degree based on a set of features. These features can be more (e.g., fingermarks) or less (e.g., shoemarks) distinctive. In many cases, biometric technologies provide a crucial support to forensic investigation and as well as evidence in court. However, the full extent of their potential is not yet exploited. A wider use of these technologies by forensic institutes and Police Authorities in the European context and in harmonised way is needed, respecting applicable legislation and fundamental rights such as personal data protection and privacy. Thus, biometrics deserves a special innovation attention, which should include some of the following: 1) automation and scalability of the identification, identity verification, intelligence, investigation and evaluation processes; 2) robustness and validation of biometrics in forensic conditions; 3) biometric data protection and privacy; 4) harmonisation/standardisation of data and processes and conversion of existing biometric tool for use in the judicial system; 5) usage of biometrics in smartphones and other devices, including the possibility to unlock criminal’s devices using biometric data; 6) exchange of biometric data and interoperability of the systems, and risk of direct adoption of existing biometric tool for use in the judicial system.
One of the key priorities here consists in the need for forensic tools to combat organised crime and smuggling, with the aim of increasing crime investigation through more efficient detection, as well as intensifying prosecutions and convictions. The testing and/or piloting of the tools and solutions developed in a real setting with one or more Police Authorities and other relevant authorities is an asset; regardless, actions should foresee how they will facilitate the uptake, replication across setting and up-scaling of the capabilities - i.e. solutions, tools, processes et al. – to be developed by the project. Cooperation with the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) is welcome. The issue of training and testing data has to be tackled as well. Thus, coordination with successful proposal in HORIZON-CL3-FCT-2021-01-04 is encouraged so as to avoid duplication and to exploit complementarities as well as opportunities for increased impact. Proposed activities that could also link with security research for border management (for example, border checks) would be an asset.
Specific Topic Conditions:Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.
Destination & Scope
One of the main purposes of this Destination is to contribute significantly to the implementation of the Security Union Strategy[[COM(2020) 605 final.]], i.e. to include Research and Innovation as one of the key building blocks enabling the achievement of the overall policy objectives. As such, the topics in this Destination aim at fully addressing all the key issues underlined in the Strategy. In addition, this Destination touches upon the Counter-Terrorism Agenda[[COM(2020) 795 final.]] as well as the security dimension of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum[[COM(2020) 609 final.]], notably the issues related to criminal networks. More specifically, this Destination includes research topics aiming at fighting crime and terrorism more effectively, particularly through better prevention of crime and enhanced investigation capabilities concerning both traditional crime and cybercrime, as well as at better protection of citizens from violent attacks in public spaces, through more effective prevention, preparedness and response while preserving the open nature of such spaces. This Destination will develop the knowledge and technologies to be taken up by the Internal Security Fund, as a complementary instrument that will enable exploitation of research results and final delivery of the required tools to security practitioners.
The goal of this Destination is to bring improved prevention, investigation and mitigation of impacts of crime, including of new/emerging criminal modi operandi (such as those exploiting digitisation and other technologies). Such an approach needs to be based on a deeper knowledge of human and social aspects of relevant societal challenges, such as child sexual exploitation, violent radicalisation, trafficking of human beings, disinformation and fake news, corruption and cyber criminality, including support to victims. Research can further help to transpose such knowledge into the operational activities of Police Authorities[[In the context of this Destination, ‘Police Authorities’ means public authorities explicitly designated by national law, or other entities legally mandated by the competent national authority, for the prevention, detection and/or investigation of terrorist offences or other criminal offences, specifically excluding police academies, forensic institutes, training facilities as well as border and customs authorities.]], as well as civil society organisations.
Research and innovation will support Police Authorities and, when applicable, other relevant end-users in better tackling crime, including cybercrime, and terrorism as well as different forms of serious and organised crime (such as smuggling, money laundering, identity theft, counterfeiting of products, trafficking of illicit drugs and of falsified/substandard medicines, environmental crime or illicit trafficking of cultural goods) by developing new technologies, tools and systems (including digital tools, e.g. artificial intelligence, interoperability solutions, etc.). This support refers especially to capabilities to analyse in near-real-time large volumes of data to forestall criminal activities, or to combat disinformation and fake news with implications for security.
In addition to improved knowledge, preparedness, prevention and response, projects within this Destination will deliver operational tools for enhanced criminal investigation capabilities for Police Authorities and, when applicable, other relevant end-users. Thus, this Destination covers a broad range of activities from forensics, big data management to the investigation of cybercriminal activities, improved cross-border cooperation and exchange of evidence.
With regards to CBRN-E (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives) threats, research and innovation within this Destination allows, among others, to generate knowledge for counter-terrorism on the continuously evolving methods related to dangerous chemicals, contaminants and unknown substances, and the development of technologies to counter and respond to related incidents.
Furthermore, this Destination aims at improved security of public spaces and public safety, while at the same time preserving the open nature of urban public spaces. All measures to be explored by research and innovation in this area should ensure that citizens can continue their daily lives without major intrusions. To achieve higher security for public space, research in this Destination will identify concepts for prevention, preparedness and response of urban actors (city authorities, Police Authorities, public/private service providers, first responders and citizens) in response to threats of terrorist attacks in public spaces. Innovations can be used to design/improve public spaces to be more secure, also with the help of advanced vulnerability assessments. They can increase the capacity to protect spaces against attacks with manned or unmanned vehicles and can help to detect firearms and other weapons, as well as CBRN-E materials being brought into public spaces. In case attacks cannot be prevented, enhanced effectiveness of mitigation measures including through strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthening the resilience of possible targets have the potential to reduce the potential impacts of such attacks. Advanced data analysis in real time can critically reduce the time-to-react for first responders.
This Destination will also promote, whenever appropriate and applicable, the proposals with:
- the involvement of the Police Authorities in their core,
- a clear strategy on how they will adapt to the fast-evolving environment in the area of fight against crime and terrorism (evolution of related technologies, evolution of criminal modi operandi and business models related to these technologies, etc.),
- a minimum-needed platform, i.e. tools that are modular and can be easily plugged into another platform (in order to avoid platform multiplication),
- tools that are developed and validated against practitioners’ needs and requirements,
- a robust plan on how they will build on the relevant predecessor projects,
- the (active) involvement of citizens, voluntary organisations and communities,
- education and training aspects, especially for Police Authorities and other relevant practitioners, as well as information sharing and awareness raising of the citizens,
- a clear strategy on the uptake of the outcomes, defined in consultation with the involved stakeholders,
- a well-developed plan both on how research data for training and testing will be obtained, in order to reach the requested Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), and on how the specific TRL will be measured.
The Destination will also create opportunities for collaboration on research and innovation among different communities of practitioners operating in the area of fighting crime and terrorism, such as Police Authorities, border and coast guard authorities, and customs authorities. International cooperation is also encouraged where appropriate and relevant.
Proposals for topics under this Destination should set out a credible pathway to contributing to the following expected impact of the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024: “Crime and terrorism are more effectively tackled, while respecting fundamental rights, […] thanks to more powerful prevention, preparedness and response, a better understanding of related human, societal and technological aspects, and the development of cutting-edge capabilities for police authorities […] including measures against cybercrime.”
More specifically, proposals should contribute to the achievement of one or more of the following impacts:
- Modern information analysis for Police Authorities, allowing them to efficiently fight criminals and terrorists who use novel technologies;
- Improved forensics and lawful evidence collection, increasing the capabilities to apprehend criminals and terrorists and bring them to the court;
- Enhanced prevention, detection and deterrence of societal issues related to various forms of crime, including cybercrime, and terrorism, such as violent radicalisation, domestic and sexual violence, or juvenile offenders;
- Increased security of citizens against terrorism, including in public spaces (while preserving their quality and openness);
- Improved intelligence picture and enhanced prevention, detection and deterrence of various forms of organised crime;
- More secure cyberspace for citizens, especially children, through a robust prevention, detection, and protection from cybercriminal activities.
Furthermore, in order to accomplish the objectives of this Destination, additional eligibility conditions have been defined. They refer to the active involvement of relevant security practitioners or end-users.
Proposals involving earth observation are encouraged to primarily make use of Copernicus data, services and technologies.
Projects funded under this Destination are invited to closely cooperate with other EC-chaired or funded initiatives in the relevant domains, such as the Networks of Practitioners projects funded under H2020 Secure Societies work programmes, the Knowledge Networks for Security Research & Innovation funded under the Horizon Europe Cluster 3 Work Programme (”Strengthened Security Research and Innovation” Destination), or the Community of Users for Secure, Safe and Resilient Societies (future CERIS –Community of European Research and Innovation for Security).
Eligibility & Conditions
General conditions
1. Admissibility conditions: described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System
2. Eligible countries: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other eligibility conditions: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
Some activities, resulting from this topic, may involve using classified background and/or producing of security sensitive results (EUCI and SEN). Please refer to the related provisions in section B Security — EU classified and sensitive information of the General Annexes.
The following additional eligibility conditions apply:
This topic requires the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 2 Police Authorities[[In the context of this Destination, ‘Police Authorities’ means public authorities explicitly designated by national law, or other entities legally mandated by the competent national authority, for the prevention, detection and/or investigation of terrorist offences or other criminal offences, specifically excluding police academies, forensic institutes, training facilities as well as border and customs authorities.]] and at least 2 forensic institutes from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated countries. For these participants, applicants must fill in the table “Eligibility information about practitioners” in the application form with all the requested information, following the template provided in the submission IT tool.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes
5. Evaluation and award:
- Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes
- Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual
- Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes
Specific conditions
7. Specific conditions: described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Documents
Call documents:
Standard application form — call-specific application form is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Standard evaluation form — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
MGA
Call-specific instructions
Eligibility information about practitioners as specified in the Work Programme
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2021–2022 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2021–2022 – 6. Civil Security for Society
HE Main Work Programme 2021–2022 – 13. General Annexes
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
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