§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there has been any change in the standard practice of destroying fingerprints and police photographs of persons who have been acquitted; and whether any new guidelines on the subject have recently been issued.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI am aware of no such change. However, the code of practice on identification to be made under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, and already published in draft, will lay down detailed requirements governing the taking and destruction of fingerprints and photographs. Section 64 of the Act itself will require the destruction of fingerprints if the person is cleared of the offence.