8 Governing Principles for Biometrics and Forensics Ethics
Summary
The Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee (STEAC), formerly the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group, publishes 8 governing ethical principles for biometrics and forensics. These principles apply to all operational and governance stages including procurement, operation, and review of biometric and forensic services and data analysis used by the Home Office. The principles were updated in 2020 and 2023, with the latest update noting the committee's name change.
What changed
The Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee (STEAC) publishes its 8 governing ethical principles for biometrics and forensics. The document was updated in 2020 with an HTML version, and in March 2023 two additional principles were added covering ethical procurement, bringing the total from 6 to 8 governing principles. The principles serve as high-level foundational guidance applicable to all stages of biometric and forensic services including procurement, operation, and review.
Government agencies, law enforcement bodies, and technology providers involved in biometric and forensic services within Home Office purview should be aware of these principles when developing, procuring, or reviewing biometric and forensic systems and procedures. The document is advisory in nature and does not impose specific compliance obligations but provides a framework for ethical considerations.
What to do next
- Monitor for updates
- Review principles when developing or assessing biometric and forensic initiatives
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Guidance
Ethical principles: Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee
Set of ethical principles developed by the Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee.
From: Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee and Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group Published 20 April 2018 Last updated 16 September 2025
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Documents
Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group principles (accessible version)
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Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group principles
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Details
September 2025
These principles were created when the Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee was known as the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group. They are currently under review.
The Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee (STEAC) - formerly the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group (BFEG) - principles are a set of high-level governing principles that apply to all operational and governance stages. This includes procurement, operation and review of the systems, procedures and instruments used in biometric and forensic services and data analysis used for purposes that fall within the purview of the Home Office.
The governing principles are foundational to the advice which the STEAC provides. They are accompanied by a set of questions intended to clarify and aid the interpretation of the governing principles. The questions are designed to support an individual in considering ethics within a project.
In late 2022, the members of the then BFEG reviewed the principles and agreed ethical procurement should be reflected. Two additional governing principles that should apply to the use of biometric, forensic and data analysis procedures were added in March 2023, making it a total of 8 governing principles.
You can view the previous version of this report by visiting The National Archives.
Published 20 April 2018 Last updated 16 September 2025 show all updates
1.
16 September 2025
Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group is now know as Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee.
2.
27 March 2023
Latest version of BFEG ethical principles published.
3.
22 December 2020
Updated BFEG Ethical Principles document and added HTML version.
4.
20 April 2018
First published.
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Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from STEAC.
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