Police fingerprint system error affected 32,366 crime-scene prints

A system error may have prevented perpetrators’ fingerprints from being linked to crime-scene evidence, DR reports. In total, 32,366 trace prints lacked the coding needed to identify possible matches, according to the Danish National Police’s report to the Ministry of Justice.

The prints came from cases dating from before 2024, when the current fingerprint register was introduced. Because the coding was missing, investigators could not search for links between the crime-scene prints and potential perpetrators.

Justice Minister Nicolai Wammen said it was “deeply serious and in no way acceptable” that errors in the police fingerprint system may have affected the resolution of specific criminal cases.

The National Special Crime Unit reviewed trace prints connected to criminal cases in which fingerprint coding was missing. It found matches between individuals and 77 prints in 35 cases.

The cases involved murder, attempted murder, terrorism, robbery, drug sales and smuggling, illegal possession of firearms, publication of counterfeit money, counterfeiting and burglary.

However, neither the Danish National Police nor the justice minister found grounds to reopen investigations after reviewing the cases.

An investigator from the National Special Crime Unit discovered the error in 2023. The Danish National Police did not inform the Independent Supervisory Authority for Evidence until 2025.

Wammen criticised the delay and asked the police to ensure sufficient progress in developing new procedures and working processes.

The Danish National Police and the National Special Crime Unit are also acquiring a new fingerprint system, which is scheduled to enter service later this year.