PART 3

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Retention and use of samples etc.

Retention of samples etc. where offer under sections 302 to 303ZA of 1995 Act accepted
78
After section 18A of the 1995 Act insert—

Retention of samples etc. where offer under sections 302 to 303ZA accepted
18B
1
This section applies to—
a
relevant physical data taken from or provided by a person under section 18(2), and
b
any sample, or any information derived from a sample, taken from a person under section 18(6) or (6A),
where the conditions in subsection (2) are satisfied.
2
The conditions are—
a
the relevant physical data or sample was taken from or provided by the person while the person was under arrest or being detained in connection with the offence or offences in relation to which a relevant offer is issued to the person, and
b
the person—
i
accepts a relevant offer, or
ii
in the case of a relevant offer other than one of the type mentioned in paragraph (d) of subsection (3), is deemed to accept a relevant offer.
3
In this section “relevant offer” means—
a
a conditional offer under section 302,
b
a compensation offer under section 302A,
c
a combined offer under section 302B, or
d
a work offer under section 303ZA.
4
Subject to subsections (6) and (7) and section 18C(9) and (10), the relevant physical data, sample or information derived from a sample must be destroyed no later than the destruction date.
5
In subsection (4), “destruction date” means—
a
in relation to a relevant offer that relates only to—
i
a relevant sexual offence,
ii
a relevant violent offence, or
iii
both a relevant sexual offence and a relevant violent offence,
the date of expiry of the period of 3 years beginning with the date on which the relevant offer is issued or such later date as an order under section 18C(2) or (6) may specify,
b
in relation to a relevant offer that relates to—
i
an offence or offences falling within paragraph (a), and
ii
any other offence,
the date of expiry of the period of 3 years beginning with the date on which the relevant offer is issued or such later date as an order under section 18C(2) or (6) may specify,
c
in relation to a relevant offer that does not relate to an offence falling within paragraph (a), the date of expiry of the period of 2 years beginning with the date on which the relevant offer is issued.
6
If a relevant offer is recalled by virtue of section 302C(5) or a decision to uphold it is quashed under section 302C(7)(a), all record of the relevant physical data, sample and information derived from a sample must be destroyed as soon as possible after—
a
the prosecutor decides not to issue a further relevant offer to the person,
b
the prosecutor decides not to institute criminal proceedings against the person, or
c
the prosecutor institutes criminal proceedings against the person and those proceedings conclude otherwise than with a conviction or an order under section 246(3).
7
If a relevant offer is set aside by virtue of section 303ZB, all record of the relevant physical data, sample and information derived from a sample must be destroyed as soon as possible after the setting aside.
8
In this section, “relevant sexual offence” and “relevant violent offence” have, subject to the modification in subsection (9), the same meanings as in section 19A(6) and include any attempt, conspiracy or incitement to commit such an offence.
9
The modification is that the definition of “relevant sexual offence” in section 19A(6) is to be read as if for paragraph (g) there were substituted—
g
public indecency if it is apparent from the relevant offer (as defined in section 18B(3)) relating to the offence that there was a sexual aspect to the behaviour of the person to whom the relevant offer is issued;
.

Section 18B: extension of retention period where relevant offer relates to certain sexual or violent offences
18C
1
This section applies where the destruction date for relevant physical data, a sample or information derived from a sample falls within section 18B(5)(a) or (b).
2
On a summary application made by the relevant chief constable within the period of 3 months before the destruction date, the sheriff may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, make an order amending, or further amending, the destruction date.
3
An application under subsection (2) may be made to any sheriff—
a
in whose sheriffdom the appropriate person resides,
b
in whose sheriffdom that person is believed by the applicant to be, or
c
to whose sheriffdom the person is believed by the applicant to be intending to come.
4
An order under subsection (2) must not specify a destruction date more than 2 years later than the previous destruction date.
5
The decision of the sheriff on an application under subsection (2) may be appealed to the sheriff principal within 21 days of the decision.
6
If the sheriff principal allows an appeal against the refusal of an application under subsection (2), the sheriff principal may make an order amending, or further amending, the destruction date.
7
An order under subsection (6) must not specify a destruction date more than 2 years later than the previous destruction date.
8
The sheriff principal’s decision on an appeal under subsection (5) is final.
9
Section 18B(4) does not apply where—
a
an application under subsection (2) has been made but has not been determined,
b
the period within which an appeal may be brought under subsection (5) against a decision to refuse an application has not elapsed, or
c
such an appeal has been brought but has not been withdrawn or finally determined.
10
Where—
a
the period within which an appeal referred to in subsection (9)(b) may be brought has elapsed without such an appeal being brought,
b
such an appeal is brought and is withdrawn or finally determined against the appellant, or
c
an appeal brought under subsection (5) against a decision to grant an application is determined in favour of the appellant,
the relevant physical data, sample or information derived from a sample must be destroyed as soon as possible after the period has elapsed, or, as the case may be, the appeal is withdrawn or determined.
11
In this section—
- “appropriate person” means the person from whom the relevant physical data was taken or by whom it was provided or from whom the sample was taken,
- “destruction date” has the meaning given by section 18B(5),
- “the relevant chief constable” has the same meaning as in subsection (11) of section 18A, with the modification that references to the person referred to in subsection (2) of that section are references to the appropriate person.
.