Forensic Science and Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Forensic Science and Law - Essay Example If there are no exceptional circumstances, the prosecution should not attempt to introduce such evidence. A judge would also consider whether there were any dissimilar characteristics between the print and that taken from the accused, and the size, quality and clarity of the print relied upon [R v Buckley1]. On the authority of an insp0ector, which can only be given where the officer has reasonable grounds for believing the suspect is involved in a criminal offence and the fingerprints will tend to confirm or disprove his involvement or facilitate the ascertainment of his identity. An authorization may only be given for the facilitating the ascertainment of the person’s identity where the person has either refused to identify themselves or the authorizing officer has reasonable grounds to suspect they are not who they claim to be. Fingerprints may also be taken from a person convicted of a reasonable offence or cautioned, warned or reprimanded in respect of such an offence. Subsection (2) replaces the existing provisions about the taking of fingerprints on the authority of an inspector with a wider power to take fingerprints from any person detained in consequence of his arrest for a reasonable offence. The existing requirements to give a person whose fingerprints are taken without consent reasons for doing so and for recording the reason as soon as practical applies to the new power. This amendment to Section 61 of PACE 1984 will prevent persons who come in to police custody and who may be wanted on a warrant or for questioning on other matters from avoiding detection by giving the police a false name and address. Using Livescan technology, which enables the police to take fingerprints electronically and which is linked to the national fingerprint database (NAFIS), the police will be able to confirm a person’s identity whilst he is still in police detention if his fingerprints have been taken previously.