By law how long can the police keep a persons fingerprints?

the hump

They can keep them as long as they want to. You do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in things that you leave laying around in public places (everytime you touch something). There is no 4th Amendment rights attached to your fingerprints or your face etc. That's why on CSI when they can't get a warrant for a DNA sample they steal the suspect's cigarrette butts when he throws them out. Once you expose something to the public, there is no privacy expectation. It is actually just a copy that they have anyway. The original is still attached to your finger.

smedrik

Once a print is on file, it remains on file.

Bardic

There isn't, not now. Fingerprints can now be taken and retained on arrest (Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 2003). Some Forces may destroy them after a certain time if no action is taken, but that's a policy matter, not law.

Previously there was an obligation on the Police to destroy fingerprints and samples when the individual was cleared of the offence for which they were taken, or a decision was made not to prosecute.

ohiofirefighter42

Nope

*****

No there is no limit, check it out. They are permanent records. The FBI fingerprint bank has millions of fingerprint cards on file on people who have died over half a century ago.

cukkoo

forever... you will be on there database forever Im afraid so dont go doing anything naughty!!... and if you already have well bad luuuuurk!!!......THEY GOT YOUR NUMBER!!!......

Okino

Once it's on file, they have it forever. Same with DNA, if they have your DNA, they have it forever.

Scouse

Eternity

Candy

Once a print is on file, it remains on file for ever so stay clean

hobbitfromdahood

they can keep them for as long as they want to
but they usaully get rid of them from 5-8 years
unless your a teacher or a federal worker those they always keep

MUPPET

as long as they like why have you been bad

Gone Fishing

They are never destroyed.

Smokin' Gun

Why must there be a limit?

They keep them so that they have something to compare fingerprints collected from a potential crime scene from,and that could be forever and a day.

futuretopgun101

For the rest of time whether you did anything or not.

dÅ«'bÄ“-É™s

forever

stormydays

there is no limit. They can be kept and are kept for ever.

Our DNA UK database has over 4million records. Its the largest database for such in the entire world

paphole

Fingerprints are stored on police data base they are not erased because if a crime is commit ed and finger prints are found they can use the data to find a match . Finger prints are unique no ones are the same.

kim t

Forever!!!

I CAN BUT TRY

if you get a police cation they delete them 3 years later you can even go and watch but for everything else its forever including public disorder offences for which you never plead guilty but pay the fine to get it over and done with

heckofaman

I don't know maybe something blew out a car window.

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