CrimTrac's National Police Reference System (NPRS) provides the capacity to share information nationally on missing persons to assist police with investigations. Missing persons information stored on NPRS is available to police in every state and territory.
The National Criminal Investigation DNA Database (NCIDD) contains DNA profiles obtained from unknown deceased persons or collected from objects belonging to missing persons. The information can only be shared if a match is obtained.
The NPRS functionality was developed and trialled prior to the findings of the Palmer Report into the Circumstances of the Immigration Detention of Cornelia Rau. In 2007, CrimTrac finalised a missing persons scoping study to determine any additional requirements for national missing persons capabilities, including an ability to record and search biometric information, as recommended by the Palmer Report.
Matters for consideration included enhancements to the NPRS, the national DNA system (NCIDD) and to the national fingerprint system (NAFIS), improved data standards, business practices and processes, possible new capabilities such as facial recognition and improved information exchange with other agencies.
The report of the missing persons scoping study was presented to Police Ministers at the meeting of the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management - Police (MCPEMP) in November 2007. The report is currently being considered by the Australia and New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency (ANZPAA), a cross-jurisdictional agency that provides high-level policing-related policy support to the Ministerial Council.