Police look at FBI plan for world criminal database (Roundup)

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 15, 2008, 11:06 GMT

(FILE) FBI Director Robert Mueller (R) says farewell to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales during a farewell ceremony for him at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., USA on 14 September 2007. The Home Office confirmed senior British police are discussing an FBI plan for the establishment of an international database to track criminals.EPA/MATTHEW CAVANAUGH

(M&C) - Senior British police are discussing an FBI plan for the establishment of an international database to track criminals according to the Home Office.

The proposal, named "Server in the Sky", would hold an international network of such identification data as palm prints and iris scans.

The database would hold information from millions of suspects from the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand said newspaper reports.

However a Home Office spokesman said discussions were at an early stage and safeguards were a chief consideration.

"We are aware of the proposed project. As you would expect we consider a wide range of initiatives as we constantly look to enhance our investigative capabilities," he said.

"Relevant safeguards are always considered as part of this process."

An FBI spokesman confirmed the database would be used in the hunt for international criminals including terrorists.

"Server in the Sky is an FBI initiative designed to foster the advanced search and exchange of biometric information on a global scale," he explained.