NRC Next, 21 July 2011: 'So every 'suspect' without ID has to give up his fingerprint?'

"Theoretically, the police could indeed take a fingerprint from anyone who is stopped and does not carry an identity card for verification.
(…)
The opposition has questioned the legal basis of this trial. MP Gerard Schouw (D66) sent a letter of questions to minister Opstelten (Security and Justice, VVD). Among other things, he wants to know who exactly the police may ask for fingerprints, and under what circumstances.

Moreover, Schouw wants to know whether the database can actually be searched flawlessly. After all, the central storage of fingerprints was previously postponed because of problems with the search function in such a central database - as the error rate was too high. "Maybe it is a different database, but how can the technology of that search engine suddenly work," he wonders.

Privacy First Foundation points out the same problem as Schouw. The error rate in biometric technology is above 20 per cent, according to Privacy First, but "the police are apparently taking that risk with this".

In doing so, there is a risk of function creep, says the foundation: it starts with faster detection of foreigners, but "after that, it will undoubtedly be the turn of innocent citizens".

Not just anyone can be asked for a fingerprint. The opposition objects to the trial for this reason, among others."

Source: NRC Next 21 July 2011, p. 3.