Moldova proposes new Facial Image Registry for biometric identification

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova has developed a project to establish a Facial Image Registry (RIF). This state information resource is designed to assist authorities in criminal investigations, person identification, and searching for missing individuals through automated biometric comparisons.

The system will store and manage both identified and unidentified facial images, assigning a reference number to each entry. It will support two types of biometric comparison: 1:1 verification to confirm if two images match the same person, and 1:N comparison to search a single photo against the entire database for potential matches.

According to the project details, the computer's output will serve only as a preliminary technical result. Any identified matches must be manually verified and confirmed by qualified personnel before being used for official purposes. The project is currently in the promotion phase, following consultations with institutions responsible for defending fundamental rights.