These are then sent in digitally to a central unit at the European Commission, and automatically checked against other prints on the database. This enables authorities to determine whether asylum seekers have already applied for asylum in another EU member state or have illegally transited through another EU member state ("principle of first contact").
The information is sent electronically to a central unit within the European Commission, where it is automatically cross-referenced with other prints on the database. This enables authorities to verify if an asylum seeker has already applied for asylum in another EU country or has illegally passed through another member state ("principle of first contact").