Annex B - Biometric Material Retention Schedule
Biometric retention periods as defined under Part 5 of PACE
Individuals convicted of an offence
|
Situation |
Fingerprint & DNA Retention Period |
|
Adult convicted (including cautions) of any recordable offence |
Indefinite |
|
Under 18 convicted (including cautions, reprimands and final warnings) of a qualifying offence |
Indefinite |
|
Under 18 convicted of a minor offence |
1st conviction: Five years (plus length of any custodial sentence), or indefinite if the custodial sentence is five years or more. 2nd conviction: indefinite |
Individuals not convicted of an offence
|
Situation |
Fingerprint & DNA Retention Period |
|
Any age charged with but not convicted of a qualifying offence |
Three years + two year extension if granted by District Judge (or indefinite if previously convicted of a recordable offence which is not excluded) |
|
Any age arrested for but not charged with a qualifying offence |
Three years if granted by Biometrics Commissioner + two year extension if granted by District Judge (or indefinite if previously convicted or a recordable offence which is not excluded) |
|
Any age arrested for or charged with a minor offence |
None (or indefinite if there is a previous conviction for a recordable offence which is not excluded) but speculatively searched against National DNA Database and national fingerprint database |
|
Penalty Notice for Disorder |
Two years |
Source: National Police Chiefs’ Council, ACRO Criminal Records Office, Retention Schedule