New Police Scotland Biometrics Information Leaflet

New Police Scotland Biometrics Information Leaflet

From Monday 10 June 2024, and in response to recommendations made in 2023, Police Scotland began distributing an information leaflet to all persons in police custody who have biometric data taken because of arrest. The Commissioner Dr Brian Plastow has today said:

‘It is essential that people arrested by the police in Scotland receive their information rights when deprived of their liberty, including an explanation of why the police may take their biometric data and how it will then be used. With around 88,000 police custody episodes in Scotland each year, this leaflet will ensure that important information rights are respected and that anyone who has their biometric data taken is aware of the Commissioner’s statutory Code of Practice and the accompanying complaint mechanism for data subjects. This new procedure follows recommendations made in our 2023 Assurance Reviews in relation to Vulnerable Adults and Children demonstrating the impact of our work. I am grateful to Police Scotland for following these recommendations through to conclusion’.

A copy of their leaflet can be found here. 

Police Scotland have also included more information about biometrics on their website. Biometrics - Police Scotland