Explanatory Notes

Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020

2020 asp 13

14 July 2020

Provision by Provision Commentary

Part 1: Disclosure of criminal history and other information

Evidence of identity

Section 59: Power to use fingerprints to check identity

121.Section 59 gives Ministers the option of using fingerprints to verify the identity of an applicant. This power will only be used in cases where other means of authentication have been unsuccessful, for instance where the Scottish Ministers cannot otherwise match an applicant to a criminal record held in central records. The process will be governed by regulations subject to the negative procedure. Ministers can refuse to consider a disclosure application in cases where the applicant refuses to provide fingerprints. Ministers must ensure the destruction of fingerprints taken for assisting the authentication of identity, once that task is completed.