About us
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-16)

The Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee (STEAC) is an advisory non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office.

Introduction

The Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee (STEAC) is an advisory non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office).

STEAC was formerly known as the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group. You can read more information about this change on the other STEAC GOV.UK pages.

STEAC’s membership is formed of independent subject matter experts who are selected by public appointment.

STEAC provides independent ethical advice to the Home Office and its ministers on a range of science and technology issues, particularly those involving:
- biometric and forensic data
- large and complex data sets
- the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning
- emergent technologies and any related data challenges
STEAC manages advisory requests spanning the breadth of the Home Office’s portfolio. STEAC maintains a close collaboration with the Home Office Science Advisory Council (HOSAC) to ensure, where necessary, advice is comprehensive and appropriately directed.

Areas of work

STEAC considers the ethical impact on society, groups and individuals of:
- the collection, retention and use of human biometric identifiers, such as DNA, fingerprints, and face recognition
- the retention and use of forensic data such as extracted digital forensic material
- policy and projects from the Forensic Information Databases Strategy Board
- relevant projects from the Home Office Biometrics Programme, including giving advice on data protection impact assessments
- the use of large datasets within the Home Office, including the implementation of systems using machine learning and artificial intelligence
STEAC also considers:
- issues raised by key stakeholders such as the Forensic Information Databases Strategy Board, the Biometrics Commissioner, and the Forensic Science Regulator
- issues raised by members of STEAC as part of its self-commissioned work including reports, briefing notes and guiding principles (around 30% of STEAC’s total work)
- how best to gauge public perception of emergent technology and the impact that public perception will have on its rollout
STEAC working groups

To best use resources, the majority of STEAC’s work is carried out by working groups which report into quarterly meetings of the full committee.

The working groups meet every 3 months, as well as on an ad hoc basis when needed, and are organised around the following themes.

Home Office Biometrics Ethics Working Group

The working group provides ethical guidance for projects within the Home Office Biometrics Programme, a programme of services to support DNA, fingerprint and facial image capabilities.

Biometrics and Facial Recognition Working Group

The working group advises on ethical approaches to the collection, use, retention and deletion of extracted digital forensic material.

Police Ethics Advisory Group Working Group

The working group provides:
- ethical advice on technological or data matters for use by policing or the wider criminal justice system, as directed by the Home Office or at the request of national (England and Wales) bodies for policing
- advice on ethical aspects of guidance or reports concerning science and technology in policing, at the request of the Home Office or the wider criminal justice system
- ethical advice on policing-related projects using advanced data processing techniques or large and complex datasets, under the purview of the Home Office, as they relate to the use for law enforcement.
Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Working Group

The working group:
- advises on projects considering the adoption or use of explainable artificial intelligence solutions
- reviews the policy sponsor guidance and framework documents relating to artificial intelligence within the Home Office