Fingerprints and samples

11Fingerprinting of certain offenders

1

A service policeman may take the fingerprints of a person for the record without his consent if that person has been convicted of an offence in service disciplinary proceedings.

2

The power under subsection (1) above may not be exercised in relation to a person convicted of an offence—

a

where the person concerned has had his fingerprints taken by a service policeman in the course of the investigation of the offence or since his conviction; or

b

after the end of the period of three months beginning with the date of the conviction.

3

A service policeman may use reasonable force, if necessary, in exercising the power under subsection (1) above.

4

In this section—

  • “fingerprints” includes palm prints;

  • “service disciplinary proceedings” means—

    1. a

      any proceedings before a court-martial or a standing civilian court under the 1955 Acts or the 1957 Act;

    2. b

      any proceedings before a disciplinary court constituted under section 52G of the 1957 Act; and

    3. c

      any proceedings by way of summary trial under section 52D of that Act; and

  • “service policeman” means a member of the Royal Navy Regulating Branch, the Royal Marines Police, the Royal Military Police, the Royal Air Force Police or the staff of the Royal Air Force Provost Marshal.

5

This section is without prejudice to any power to take fingerprints under any other enactment or under any rule of law.