> A database of fingerprints[1] should contain the prints of as many criminals as possible and as few non-criminals as possible. Collecting fingerprints does n

> A database of fingerprints[1] should contain the prints of as many criminals as possible and as few non-criminals as possible. Collecting fingerprints does not automatically mean the database is used in criminal investigation. Portugal has collected fingerprints in national ID cards since 1974, with provisions for limiting access to the database to selected organizations within the government. The end result is that this database is not used in criminal investigation. If it were, the court case would be thrown immediately. Needless to say, biometric passports caused zero fuss here.