HomeInterpol Black Notice in Dubai
Dubai is a global metropolis, a crossroads city where representatives of more than 200 nationalities live and visit. Large-scale tourism, migration, and its status as one of the busiest transit hubs in the world create a unique demographic environment. In this dynamic ecosystem, unfortunately, tragedies inevitably occur. When a person dies far from their homeland, especially without identification documents, Dubai police face the complex task of determining who this person is.
The national databases of the UAE containing biometric data of residents (Emirates ID) may not yield results. This happens if the deceased was a tourist, an illegal migrant, or simply did not have documents on them. In such cases, Dubai police activate the international cooperation tool — Interpol’s Black Notice.
This is not a punitive measure. This is not an arrest warrant. This is solely a humanitarian request aimed at restoring the deceased’s name and giving their relatives the opportunity to learn about their fate.
What is a black notice of Interpol?
A Black Notice is an international request distributed by the General Secretariat of Interpol (based in Lyon, France) at the request of a National Central Bureau (NCB) of a member country, such as the UAE. Its sole purpose is to obtain information about unidentified bodies.
When law enforcement agencies, such as the Dubai police, discover remains that cannot be identified using standard national procedures, they turn to the global community. This action is based on the understanding that the person is most likely a citizen of another country.
Process and content
The process of initiating a notice is strictly regulated. The Dubai Police and their forensic experts first conduct comprehensive work on data collection. If identification fails, the UAE NCB in Abu Dhabi sends a request to Interpol, attaching all available information. The notice is sent to all 196 member countries.
This information is critically important for forensic medical examination and includes:
- Fingerprint data: If they can be taken, they are compared with international databases.
- Dental records: Tooth formula, information about fillings, implants, or other dental interventions. This is one of the most reliable methods of comparison if the presumed family of the deceased has their antemortem dental X-rays.
- DNA profile: A genetic marker extracted from remains, which can be compared with profiles in missing persons databases (if relatives of the missing person had previously submitted samples).
- Distinctive features: Description of tattoos, scars, surgical implants (for example, serial numbers of pacemakers or prostheses), birthmarks.
- Physical description: Anthropological data, such as estimated age, gender, height, hair color (if preserved).
- Accompanying items: Photographs of clothing, jewelry, or personal belongings found with the body.
Access to notices
Unlike red or yellow notices, black notices are not public. You will not find them openly available on the Interpol website. They are distributed exclusively through secure police channels (I-24/7 system) and are intended for narrow specialists: forensic experts, pathologists, coroners, and missing persons units in other countries.
This confidentiality is necessary to uphold the dignity of the deceased and to protect investigative data if the death had a criminal nature.
Identification under conditions of anonymity
In Dubai, the use of black notices is due to unique demographic factors. When a UAE citizen or a resident with an Emirates ID passes away, identification usually happens quickly. Problems arise when the deceased has no connection to local databases.
When is a black notice required in the UAE:
Major accidents or natural disasters: Although large-scale natural disasters are not typical for the UAE, major man-made accidents (for example, a fire in a high-rise building, a major traffic accident involving a tourist bus, a maritime incident) can lead to the discovery of bodies that are difficult to identify immediately.
Detection of bodies without documents: A person could have died from natural causes (for example, a heart attack during a walk in the desert) or as a result of an accident, without having a passport or phone with them.
Victims of crimes: In cases where the perpetrator intentionally disposes of the victim’s documents to hinder the investigation, a black notice becomes a key tool for establishing identity.
The Dubai police use this tool as an act of international cooperation. Identifying the deceased is not only a humanitarian duty to the family but also a legal necessity. This measure is humanitarian and in no way implies that the deceased was involved in any criminal activity.
The main differences of Interpol notices
The Interpol notice system uses color coding for quick classification of requests. It is very important not to confuse them, as they have completely different purposes and legal implications. A black notice is fundamentally different in nature from most others.
To ensure complete understanding, let us consider the key types of notices with which they are most often confused:
Red notification:
Purpose: Request for the establishment of location and arrest of a person wanted for prosecution or serving a sentence.
Nature: Law enforcement, punitive. This is the closest instrument to an international arrest warrant.
Object: Wanted criminal (accused or convicted).
Yellow notification:
Goal: Assistance in finding missing persons (often minors) or identifying individuals who cannot establish their identity (for example, due to amnesia).
Nature: Humanitarian.
Object: Missing person (living person) or a living person unable to identify themselves.
Blue notification:
Objective: Collection of additional information about the identity, location, or activities of a person in connection with a criminal investigation.
Nature: Investigative. This is not an arrest warrant, but a data request.
Object: Person of interest for the investigation (witness, suspect).
Black notice:
Purpose: Request for information to identify an unidentified body.
Nature: Humanitarian, forensic.
Object: Deceased person.
Thus, the black notice stands apart. It does not search for a criminal and does not look for a living person. Its task is to close a tragic chapter using international cooperation of forensic pathologists and criminologists.
Do you need professional assistance with Interpol matters?
Although black notices are purely a humanitarian and forensic procedure, the Interpol system as a whole is incredibly complex and has serious legal implications, especially in such an international legal hub as Dubai.
If you or your loved ones are faced with an issue related to Interpol, it is extremely important to understand that this involves the intersection of international law and UAE legislation. Mistakes in this process can lead to catastrophic consequences.
When do you need the help of a lawyer in Dubai?
- Challenging a Red Notice: This is our primary specialization. If a Red Notice has been wrongfully issued against you (for example, due to a civil dispute disguised as a criminal case or for political reasons), you risk being arrested at Dubai airport and subjected to extradition proceedings.
- We specialize in submitting requests to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) to have such notices canceled.
Extradition procedures: If you are detained in the UAE at the request of Interpol, you will immediately need a lawyer familiar with local extradition laws and international treaties to represent your interests in Dubai courts. - Complex cases of missing persons: If your relative has gone missing and there are reasons to believe that they might be in the UAE, we can act as your representatives, interacting with the Dubai police, your consulate, and tracking relevant requests (including yellow or, in the worst case, black notices).
- Freezing of assets: Interpol requests are often accompanied by measures to freeze bank accounts in the UAE. We assist in challenging these measures.
Our team of lawyers in Dubai has many years of experience handling cases related to Interpol. We understand both the internal procedures of the organization and the specifics of law enforcement in the UAE.
Do not wait until the situation becomes critical. If you have reason to believe that you or your business may become the focus of Interpol’s attention, or if you are faced with detention in Dubai, contact us for urgent and confidential consultation. We will protect your rights and develop a strategy to resolve your issue.
FAQ
What is the purpose of an Interpol Black Notice in Dubai?
An Interpol Black Notice is an international tool used by police forces, including the Dubai Police, to seek information about unidentified bodies. It is not a criminal notice but a humanitarian and forensic one. When an unidentified deceased person is found in the UAE, and national databases cannot provide an identity (e.g., the person was a tourist or undocumented), a Black Notice is issued. It circulates details like DNA, fingerprints, and dental patterns globally, helping to connect the person with missing persons reports from other countries and allowing families to find closure.
Why would Dubai authorities use an Interpol Black Notice?
Dubai is a major international crossroads with millions of visitors. Authorities in the UAE, like the Dubai Police, would use an Interpol Black Notice when all local and national methods to identify a deceased person have been exhausted. This notice is vital for cases where the individual is presumed to be a foreign national. By sharing forensic data with 196 member countries, UAE authorities demonstrate their commitment to international cooperation and humanitarian duty, ensuring every effort is made to identify the person, investigate the circumstances of their death, and inform their next of kin.
