Magistrates' Courts Act 1980

49 Taking of finger-prints

(1) Where any person not less than 14 years old—

(a) who has been taken into custody is charged with an offence before a magistrates' court; or

(b) appears before a magistrates' court in answer to a summons for an offence punishable with imprisonment,

the court may, if it thinks fit, on the application of a police officer not below the rank of inspector, order the finger-prints of that person to be taken by a constable.

(2) Finger-prints taken in pursuance of an order under this section shall be taken either at the place where the court is sitting or. if the person to whom the order relates is remanded in custody, at any place to which he is committed ; and a constable may use such reasonable force as may be necessary for that purpose.

(3) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to those of any other enactment under which finger-prints may be taken.

(4) Where the finger-prints of any person have been taken in pursuance of an order under this section, then, if he is acquitted, or the examining justices determine not to commit him for trial, or if the information against him is dismissed, the finger-prints and all copies and records of them shall be destroyed.

(5) In this section " finger-prints " includes palm-prints.