Taking of Biometrics

Whilst in custody the Police and Criminal Evidence act 1984 allows the police in certain circumstances to capture your biometric data. If you have been arrested for a recordable offence you will have your fingerprints taken and in certain circumstances a sample of your DNA, either by 2 x buccal swabs or a minimum of 10 hairs from your body including the roots.

Fingerprints are taken, retained, or destroyed in accordance with Section 61 and Sec 63D-63U of PACE 1984. 

DNA is taken, retained, or destroyed in accordance with S63 and Sec 63D-63U of PACE 1984.

Both your fingerprints and DNA can be subject to speculative searches in accordance with PACE 1984.

If you are detained in police custody for any reason the Police and Criminal Evidence act allows Police to take your photograph.

Photographs are taken in accordance with Section 64 (a) of PACE 1984.

Deletion of custody images

You may be eligible to apply for the deletion of a custody image under the Management of Police Information retention, review, and disposal process.

A request for deletion can be made where:

• You were not charged for the offence for which the image was taken
• You were not convicted of the offence for which the image was taken
• You were convicted and a predetermined time has elapsed since the conviction

To apply for custody image deletions direct to Humberside Police, please send your Name, Address, DOB and an explanation detailing when the image was taken, what offence it relates to and outcome of the arrest via email.  

To apply for deletion of Fingerprints, DNA, Criminal records (where requests also include Custody Images) and for further information on Biometric retention periods/deletion visit the ACRO Criminal Records Office website.