A computer network giving law enforcement agencies the power to cross-link child pornography archives all over the world to help identify victims and abusers is expected to be approved at a justice summit in Britain today.

The forensic imaging network, which has been under development by Interpol for two years, will be discussed by G8 justice and home affairs ministers when they meet in Sheffield today.

Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, said he was confident the system would be approved, adding that it would provide a powerful tool in tackling what he described as "vile" crimes.

Convicted paedophiles would automatically have their faces scanned and the images entered into the global database. Pornographic photographs seized by police would also be electronically scanned.

Crosschecks will then enable law enforcement agencies to identify whether a room or background scene had been used in two or more images of child abuse.

Piecing together information from different G8 countries about each abuser, victim or location was expected to lead to more perpetrators being caught, including international gangs who seek to exploit cross-border weaknesses.

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