Total Control? Ministry of Internal Affairs' Plans to Expand Genomic Database of Criminals May Affect Law-Abiding Citizens

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) of Russia intends to increase the volume of the federal database of genomic information by 3.57 times by 2030 compared to 2021. This is stated in the draft amendments to the state program "Ensuring Public Order and Combating Crime", published on the portal of regulatory legal acts. Experts emphasize the need for clear rules for using the database to ensure legal certainty.

The genomic database, created in 2009, is used to identify criminals, match DNA with crime scenes, and investigate serious crimes. According to the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, by the end of 2020, the database contained more than 1 million DNA samples, which helped solve about 6,000 crimes. Since 2008, genomic registration has been regulated by law, initially obliging those convicted of serious crimes to submit DNA. Since May 2023, the range of persons subject to registration has been expanded to include all prisoners, accused and suspects, and from January 2025 - to those detained for administrative offenses and relatives of missing persons.

In 2021–2023, the database was to grow to 5.2 million objects, including data from unidentified persons and unidentified corpses. Experts note that the lack of a transparent calculation methodology may create risks of broad interpretation and data collection from previously uncovered categories. According to Daniil Chernykh-Aipov, Deputy Chairman of the "Sulim and Partners" Bar Association, the plans are in line with global trends in smart cities, but require increased judicial control and supervision of biometric data processing. In May 2025, the Ministry of Defense also proposed introducing mandatory DNA collection from military personnel.

The chairman of the Moscow Trade Union of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Guard, Mikhail Pashkin, associates plans to expand the genomic database with the improvement of legislation and the introduction of new methods of data collection. According to him, the increase in the database will be achieved by including new categories of citizens who are required to provide DNA. However, the expert notes that the implementation of these goals will require the refinement of the regulatory framework to ensure the clarity of data application and respect for the rights of citizens.

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