Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - At the ninth plenary meeting of the Senate, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On state genomic registration" was discussed.

It should be noted that at present it is required to fully disclose the committed grave and especially grave crimes, and to ensure the inevitability of punishment. At the same time, criminals use various methods so as not to leave traces at the scene.

Unsolved crimes, in turn, increase the sense of impunity for criminals and allow them to continue their criminal activities in the future. Therefore, the introduction, thanks to the adoption of this Law, of a mechanism for disclosing crimes using a database of genomic information will allow disclosing complex and especially grave and unsolved crimes.

The significance of the adoption of this Law lies in the fact that modern methods and technologies will be introduced into this area. In turn, foreign experience shows that in the fight against crime, the disclosure of crimes using a database of genomic information is of great importance and is highly effective.

The methods of committing crimes are also being improved. Their main goal is to minimize the traces left at the crime scene, which complicates the process of solving the crimes committed. The introduction of a mechanism for disclosing crimes using a database of genomic information makes it possible to disclose relatively complex, especially grave and unsolved crimes, and also ensures the inevitability of punishment for the committed act.

The creation of a unified database of genomic information, in turn, makes it possible to find missing persons and to identify individuals when identifying found corpses with their close relatives.

This strengthens the evidence base of the judicial and investigative authorities, prevents the re-commission of crimes by persons who have committed grave, especially grave crimes, as well as those convicted of crimes against sexual freedom by maintaining their database of genomic information of these persons.

The Law also introduces a number of innovations.

In particular, the Law clarifies such concepts as biological material, state genomic registration, genomic information, processing of genomic information, a unified database of genomic information, forensic biological examination of human DNA, biological relatives. It should be especially noted that a new concept of “biological relatives of a person” is being introduced into the legislation.

The rights and obligations of the authorized state body in the field of state genomic registration are established. The authorized state body that maintains a unified database of genomic information is the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Since genomic information is very delicate and important confidential information about a person, its safety and confidentiality is ensured.

In addition, in accordance with the Law, state genomic registration is carried out on a mandatory and voluntary basis.

Compulsory state genomic registration is required for persons involved as a suspect, accused of committing grave, especially grave crimes, convicted of committing grave, especially grave crimes, as well as persons convicted of crimes against sexual freedom, crimes related to sexual intercourse with by a person under the age of sixteen and lecherous actions against a person under the age of sixteen.

Compulsory state genomic registration is also subject to biological materials of persons whose identity has not been established, seized during the pre-investigation check, inquiry, preliminary investigation and trial, unidentified corpses (remains, body parts).

Voluntary state genomic registration is carried out on a paid basis upon a written application from citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, foreign citizens and stateless persons.

In addition, in order to assist in the search for missing persons, their biological relatives can undergo voluntary state genomic registration free of charge.

The law establishes the basic requirements for the acquisition, processing and protection of genomic information.

Genomic information obtained as a result of state genomic registration is used for the following purposes:

prevention, disclosure and investigation of crimes, as well as identification and identification of the persons who committed them;

search for missing persons;

identification of unidentified corpses (remains, body parts);

establishing biological relationship.

This ensures compliance with the principles of legality, humanity, confidentiality, which are fully consistent with the norms of international law.

The storage periods and the procedure for the destruction of biological material and genomic information are determined.

If a person knows that all his biometric data are registered by the state on the basis of legality, and understands in advance that any of his criminal acts will be disclosed, in most cases this will deter him from committing a crime.

During the meeting, it was noted that the database of citizens’ genomic information, formed by law enforcement agencies on the basis of legality during operational-search activities, plays an important role in protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, ensuring public and state security in our country.

Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On State Genomic Registration" was approved by the senators. The law comes into force on 1 January 2023.