Explanatory Memorandum

Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015

2015 CHAPTER 9

24 July 2015

Commentary on Sections

Part 9: Miscellaneous

Personal samples, DNA profiles and fingerprints

Section 87: Retention of personal samples that are or may be disclosable

This section amends Article 63R of PACE to insert a reference to Article 63P of PACE (which governs the retention of DNA samples) thereby making the retention rules for samples  subject to the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA) in the same way as DNA profiles and fingerprints retained under Articles 63B to 63O and 63Q.  The amendments provide that any sample retained under the CPIA must not be used other than for the purposes of any proceedings for the offence in connection with which it was taken and, that once the CPIA no longer applies, the sample must be destroyed.