Types of Interpol Notices

Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, plays a vital role in assisting law enforcement agencies across the globe in fighting crime. One of their key tools is the issuance of Interpol Notices, which are alerts distributed worldwide to facilitate cooperation among member countries. These notices help in locating and apprehending individuals who are wanted for serious crimes. Interpol currently recognizes seven types of notices: Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Black, Purple, and UN Special Notices. In this article, we will delve into each type of Interpol Notice and explore their significance.

Red Notice

The Red Notice is the most well-known and commonly used Interpol Notice. It is issued to seek the arrest and extradition of individuals wanted in connection with significant criminal offenses. Red Notices are issued for crimes ranging from murder, terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and organized crime. This type of notice helps law enforcement worldwide in locating and apprehending dangerous criminals.

Blue Notice

A Blue Notice is a request for information on individuals or activities that are considered a threat to national security. Unlike Red Notices, Blue Notices do not seek the arrest or extradition of individuals. Instead, they provide member countries with intelligence and seek information to help prevent or investigate potential security threats.

Green Notice

Green Notices are issued to provide information about individuals who are wanted for criminal offenses or are considered to be a possible threat. While not seeking arrest or extradition, Green Notices assist in gathering information about an individual’s identity, location, or activities. They are used primarily to aid investigations and intelligence sharing among member countries.

Orange Notice

Orange Notices serve as a warning and seek the identification and location of missing persons. These individuals may be victims of crime, unidentified bodies, or unaccounted-for children. By issuing Orange Notices, Interpol aims to gather information and facilitate efforts to locate and identify these persons.

Black Notice

Black Notices are issued to seek information about unidentified bodies. These notices request member countries’ assistance in collecting data on the deceased individual, such as fingerprints, dental records, or DNA samples. By doing so, Interpol helps streamline the process of identifying these bodies and provides closure to families of the deceased.

Purple Notice

Purple Notices are used to provide information on organizations, modes of operation, or criminal activities. They aid law enforcement agencies in identifying and combating emerging or specific forms of crime, including cybercrime, drug manufacturing techniques, counterfeit money, or smuggling methods. These notices help ensure that law enforcement worldwide remains vigilant and informed about evolving criminal trends.

UN Special Notice

UN Special Notices are issued to inform member countries about individuals, groups, or organizations under United Nations sanctions. These notices ensure that law enforcement agencies worldwide are aware of individuals or entities subject to travel bans, asset freezes, or other measures imposed by the UN Security Council.

Interpol Notices play a crucial role in global law enforcement efforts. By issuing Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Black, Purple, and UN Special Notices, Interpol facilitates international cooperation, crime prevention, and the pursuit of justice. Each notice serves a specific purpose, be it seeking arrest, gathering information, preventing threats, or aiding investigations. These notices help Interpol member countries work together effectively in the fight against crime, ensuring a safer world for all.

Iryna Berenstein
Associated Partner
Mrs. Berenstein is a distinguished and outstanding lawyer with profound experience and exceptional legal knowledge in the field of International Private Law, Financial Law, Corporate Law, investment regulation, Compliance, Data Protection, and Reputation Management.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of colors in the Interpol Notices?
Interpol issues eight types of Notices, each with a specific function: 1) Red Notice: To locate and arrest a person wanted for extradition. 2) Yellow Notice: To find a missing person or identify someone unable to self-identify. 3) Blue Notice: To find, identify, or gather information on a person in a criminal investigation. 4) Green Notice: To alert about a person's criminal activities posing a public safety threat. 5) Orange Notice: To warn of imminent threats to people or property. 6) Purple Notice: To share details on criminals' methods and tools. 7) Black Notice: To seek information on unidentified bodies. 8) Interpol-UN Security Council Special Notice: To notify members of individuals or entities under UN sanctions.
What is a Interpol red notice?
A Red Notice requests global law enforcement to locate and temporarily arrest a person pending extradition or similar legal proceedings. It is not an international arrest warrant, but a call for action by the requesting member country or international tribunal.
How can I find out if there is an Interpol notice (red corner) in my name?
To find out if there is an Interpol notice (red corner) in your name, you can contact your local law enforcement agency or Interpol's National Central Bureau in your country. They will be able to provide you with the necessary information and guidance on how to proceed. It's important to address any legal matters with the appropriate authorities to ensure clarity and resolution.
What is blue notice?
Interpol blue notices are issued to collect information about individuals suspected of criminal involvement or possessing crime-related knowledge, assisting in identifying suspects, their activities, or whereabouts for investigative purposes.