The role of data protection reguliation for a proper implementation of vision for European forensic science 2020

Abstract

Declaration of necessity to improve the level of data protection in all spheres of European Union (EU) policy under the Stockholm program was the impetus for European Commission to start the data protection reform in EU, particularly paying more attention for data protection regulation in the investigation and prosecution of crime. On the other hand, Council conclusions on the vision for European Forensic Science 2020 including the creation of a European Forensic Science Area and the development of forensic science infrastructure in Europe introduces reform on forensic science. One of the objectives thereof is creation of conditions for the free movement of data relevant to law enforcement institutions in EU. While having no direct connection in EU policy making documents the aforementioned reforms are closely connected: free movement of such a data is impossible if the unified data protection regulation would not be applied in forensic science institutions. Therefore, the role of data protection regulation for a proper implementation of vision for European Forensic Science 2020 and the interconnection of both reforms are being discussed in this publication.