In line with recommendations made within the Triennial Review of Home Office Science Bodies the National DNA Database Ethics Group (NDNAD EG) was replaced by the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group (BFEG) on 20th July 2017.

The triennial review found that:

reviewing the public call for evidence results and the interviews it became clear that the work of the EG is seen as essential.

The remit of the BFEG expands beyond that of its predecessor and includes ethical issues associated with all forensic identification techniques including, but not limited to, facial recognition technology and fingerprinting.

The NDNAD EG was established in 2008, and provided advice to the Home Office on issues, including policies for the retention of DNA and DNA profiles, the establishment of a Central Elimination Database, international exchange of DNA, Y-STR profiling and rapid DNA technologies. You can read information on the work of the NDNAD EG.

Like its predecessor, the BFEG is an Advisory Non Departmental Public Body. It will provide strategic independent advice to the Home Office ensuring that the evidence underpinning biometrics and forensics policy development is robust. The BFEG will continue all the active work programmes of the NDNAD EG as well as providing advice on a range of new biometric and forensic topics.